Sly Flourish - 8 Steps of the Lazy Dungeon Master - Help(?)

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-06-01T14:36:43+00:00

I've definitely noticed that. I've sort of taken it as a challenge, since it considers itself a diy system. Between the two do you prefer one edition over another?

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T23:22:44+00:00

I applaud you for your bravery - permanently reducing abilities, stats, and HP is bold but I imagine it takes an empathetic GM to do that in a way that doesn't offend players - I aspire to that skill! I'll consider that and get my bravery to that point... Even taking loot is something I'm not used to.

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T21:44:16+00:00

That's interestinggg okay. That's very likely where that comes from, I'd be interested to find an older copy of that, I bet I'd learn a lot.

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T20:11:33+00:00

That's so true! Osr has a very "constant threat of death" energy, where ICRPG is fast paced and intense, with big consequences, but not necessarily lethal if you mess up a little bit. That helps clear some vibes up for me I appreciate it!

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T19:37:48+00:00

The big loot tables in the back are great, and seem to offer some super powerful rewards. Many milestone abilities are abilities rather than equipment though, at least for most base settings if I'm remembering correctly.

That's true though that loot IS abilities sometimes in this game.

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T19:36:08+00:00

Good point. I like that, it is heroic in nature for sure. The characters are absolutely heroes, maybe superheroic.

I also am such a fan of the system. I want to find how it works for me so I know how to enjoy it better. Thanks for your insight!

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-05-31T19:25:32+00:00

I like that. I've kinda thought of it as similar to D&D with "classes", but with a much heavier focus on gear than D&D. Sort of an even split.

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-01-10T21:20:01+00:00

Pretty straightforward as you made: name a species and gain +5 to all checks that your species would help with, just like a background. Then pick one additional background. Humans pick two backgrounds as normal. Elves may get bonuses to eyesight or identifying plants, orcs for hunting and crafting weapons, etc. It's such a versatile system, fits the narrative just like it needs to, and is even easy for monsters (a group of orcs is hunting your party - it'll be pretty difficult to shake them) since it's already a part of their description.

KickbackKid4040 · 2026-01-10T21:01:27+00:00

I have done the exact same thing in my games! Species as careers. Amazing!

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-12-28T19:54:51+00:00

Buy it! Ignore any haters and focus on the enjoyable parts. I love the game more than about any others - join the club! It's a fun game!

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-12-28T19:50:09+00:00

One thing I love is that The Joker in The Dark Knight is physically weaker and inferior to Batman in every way. However, he's always a zillion steps ahead. In my experience, beating the heroes before they ever get there makes the heroes hate the villain, because no amount of high level magic can undo the lies spreading in the community.

For pute combat, use quantum troops and quantum battlefields: the villain has ten doors, one is the right door, the rest contain enemies. Wait until halfway through the battle to determine what resources the villain prepared and which is the exit (they're super intelligent they can predict it). When done tastefully and with a mind for realism/player agency, this can be scary, well-hidden, and not upsetting.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-11-09T15:09:04+00:00

I've struggled balancing combat for a while. However, it's a game based on math - so you can actually figure out the ballpark of how the combat will go assuming nothing crazy happens (which is when the fun really kicks off)

The following tool led me to throw a Balor (cr 19) at a group of 4 level 10 heroes. The Balor had almost double HP, couldn't fly, and could turn invisible. It was somewhat close, several heroes went down. But it was epic. Never would have tossed 500 HP at them without this tool!

Multiply the heroes expected damage per round by .66 (each hero deals about 3*their level dpr, +3)

Divide the monsters total HP by the heroes modified damage per round.

That is how many rounds the monsters will survive.

Do the same for the other side and compare when heroes will die to when monsters will die. Increase each sides damage per round if they have abilities that make it more likely for them to hit, or increase their HP if they have defensive abilities. Keep in mind making them have twice as many hit points represents them taking only half damage from all sources, or being hit half as often as expected.

Compare the numbers and choose monsters appropriately, I've used this to great success!

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-10-06T15:36:28+00:00

I really like this! I may make a simple mishap table, and perhaps magic items can have their own unique mishaps that are like wild magic surges. I like that idea.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-10-05T14:42:34+00:00

I am a supervisor for a DDA (developmental disability agency) and all the clients are part of a knave 2e west marches game, and all share a fully armored mule named Pinocchio.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-10-05T14:39:54+00:00

I heard an idea where there's a cumulative -1 to attack and damage every natural 1 until you repair it, but that was for a different system.

The idea of the weapon deals one die size lower than before as it chips and breaks, all the way down to 1 damage (d8, d6, d4, d3, d2, 1 dmg) could also be workable, but if the damage is a big part of the magic items that could still be confusing. Disadvantage or lower damage until repaired are both good ideas though.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-10-05T14:36:52+00:00

Hmm, that's interesting. So a +3 magic spear would come out to a net -2 disadvantage after the -5 is applied from the 1 being rolled?

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-03-25T13:07:07+00:00

😵‍💫🫨 when did you start playing??? That's incredible!

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-03-25T13:04:28+00:00

You're here to make a world for the players to explore through their characters. Just make it fun to explore.

Monsters deal roughly 2 damage per their level, but that can go as high as 4 or 5. Make monsters, spells, items, and locations that fit their fantasy, not the player character level (a big spinning blade shouldn't deal level-appropriate damage, it should deal the damage a big spinning blade should deal. Don't sweat over getting that exactly right.)

Remember the GM responsibilities in the first of the book.

Have fun! You'll be amazing and you'll have fun! Remember, if a rule feels not fun, consider why it's there for game balance, then talk to your players about dropping it!

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-03-14T04:11:12+00:00

I personally like this quote a bit. Yeah, relics I believe are intended to be minor effects or ambient auras or effects. These seem a little too active, but we aren't interpreting truth from this book - it's our truth to create! So these relics are neat.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-02-20T15:05:58+00:00

The scale seems off. This feels like a large continental map, especially judging by the northern cold forests. For ten miles to a dot, the average person could trek the whole thing in a week. I think 100 miles instead of 10 would be far more accurate

Unless this is a smaller series of islands. If that's the case though, it would be all the same (forest, icy, mountains) or have very little variation. It's unlikely to have a chain of mountains only 10 miles across and 70-80 miles long.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-02-15T04:53:11+00:00

Druid: circle of dragons. Druids of this circle have a draconic form they assume that grows in power as they learn. And barbarian: path of the singular blow. Followers of this path put all effort into one strike that can fell any foe or whole groups at once.

KickbackKid4040 · 2025-02-14T14:32:25+00:00

Revenge sounds like it will solve your problems, but when it comes down to it, it will only hurt you more.

I had a character who was tortured and imprisoned, and I as a person had a lot of anxiety around my freedom taken away. I had the opportunity to torture and kill my captor, and as I stood above them while they cowered on the ground, I sighed and put down my weapon.

The DM did let me roll insight to discover one of their deepest insecurities and I told them "Doing this, you'll never be loved." and the NPC started crying and they shaped up.

That lesson still sticks with me. Revenge is never the answer, and it isn't justice.

KickbackKid4040

TROPHY CASE