The recently published video below by the excellent DM Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish reminded me to revisit his always reliable advice on game preparation, broadly known by its tongue-in-cheek theming, the “Lazy Dungeon Master”.
It’s not that, of course, but rather a highly functional minimalist and improvisation-friendly method for preparing TTRPG sessions. Mike’s approach outlines an eight-step process emphasises flexibility, character focus, and reducing over-preparation, making it a valuable framework for DM prep, even if you are not particularly interested in reducing your preparation and world-building.
The approach is very well described by Mike in the videos below, and in his books on the subject. In the more recent video, Mike responds to a new GM who struggles to apply the Lazy Dungeon Master philosophy, particularly due to its reliance on improvisation. He clarifies that the core philosophy of Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master is to only prepare what you need to run the game effectively, and not more. What that means in practice is highly subjective and variable.
Improvisation is emphasised as a necessary and critical skill for all GMs—whether they prep heavily or lightly—because no plan survives contact with the players. It is also ok to be mediocre at it. Prep is just as much about getting comfortable with the inevitable improv as it is about world-building or plot shaping. He suggests tools like prewritten “secrets and clues” to help GMs prepare facts, dialogue and interactions that can be delivered in the moment, regardless of what events and encounters are triggered through play.
Notes on the Eight Steps of Lazy GM Prep
Generally, this approach is trad and 5e centric, but the steps are easily and comfortably adaptable to most systems. There are some great videos of Mike applying these to his prep for Blades in the Dark, for example.
1. Review the Characters
Start every prep session by reviewing the player characters. Consider their backstories, drives, relationships, and what’s currently happening in their arcs. Ask yourself:
- What is this character trying to achieve?
- What can I do to highlight them this session?
- What thread from their background can I bring forward?
All prep should serve the table, and what matters most is running a game you and your players enjoy. Centring characters centres the players, and roots the session in player agency and narrative investment. It transforms the game from “your story” to “our story.”
2. Create a Strong Start
Begin the session with a dynamic, scene-setting event. It could be action-packed (e.g., an ambush), emotionally loaded (e.g., a letter from home), or mysterious (e.g., a strange omen). The key is immediacy.
Players need a narrative signal that the story has begun. A strong start builds momentum, engages attention, and creates shared energy for collaborative storytelling.
3. Outline Potential Scenes
Brainstorm a loose list of scenes or events that might happen during the session. These are not a script, just ideas: a conversation with an NPC, a travel sequence, a trap-laden ruin. Hold these lightly.
It helps you mentally map the “possibility space” of the session without locking into a single path. This supports flexible, player-driven exploration.
4. Define Secrets and Clues
Write 8–10 pieces of information that the characters might discover. These can be backstory reveals, plot hooks, hints about factions, or twists. Importantly, you don’t assign how they’ll be revealed—stay open.
This is the narrative glue that binds emergent play. It is a powerful way to enable improv that doesn’t go too far off the rails. Clues/secrets offer a scaffold for meaning-making and empower players to shape the plot through discovery.
5. Develop Fantastic Locations
Design 3–5 evocative places that might feature in the session. Each should suggest mood, theme, and interaction opportunities. For major locations, include 2–3 interactive features.
Compelling locations invite exploration and create a stage for memorable roleplay. They anchor scenes in atmosphere and texture.
6. Outline Important NPCs
List NPCs likely to appear. For each, define their role, name, one strong personality trait, and what they want. You can also use media archetypes as shorthand.
Rich NPCs fuel social drama, intrigue, and worldbuilding. Having a few prepped lets you stay grounded in character even during improvisation.
7. Choose Relevant Monsters
Monsters is shorthand here for encounters/obstacles generally. Instead of designing full combat encounters, list enemies that might appear and keep their stats handy. Consider what fits the environment, tone or story. Prep a mix of easy and tough options to match pacing.
This supports responsive pacing and dynamic challenge. You can escalate or soften threat levels on the fly based on player decisions and tone.
8. Select Magic Item Rewards
Pick some loot, boons, or treasures players might discover. Include some personalised items (e.g., a weapon tied to a PC’s lineage) and some random or quirky ones.
Treasure is about player rewards, and is a critical storytelling device. Rewards deepen character identity, reflect themes, and spark new conflicts or mysteries.
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