The Eldritch Lorecast
Subscribed: 132Played: 12,804
Subscribe
© Ghostfire Gaming
Description
Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and James Haeck bring you the latest tabletop hobby news, discussions on roleplaying game design, ideas for players and GMs, and share their passion for tabletop roleplaying games and the community!
For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com.
For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com.
220 Episodes
Reverse
Has Daggerheart conquered Pathfinder as the #2 most popular TTRPG? Is D&D 5e next on the chopping block? Or is the success of Darrington Press all smoke & mirrors?FINAL WEEK of Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinAdam: @RetroArchetypeEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:45 - 2nd most popular TTRPG?09:03 - Is Daggerheart new #2?18:09 - Daggerheart: Hope & Fear22:21 - Daggerheart adventure module25:21 - Ed Greenwood rewrites Forgotten Realms28:44 - TTRPG player skill types42:24 - Skill challenges (that actually work!)
A deluge of gaming news breaks with a sneak peak at the new 5e DMG, Tome of Beast hits D&D Beyond, Wizard's secures more licensing deals, and Larian cancels Baldur's Gate 4!
Get Monsters of Drakkenheim: https://get.monstersofdrakkenheim.com/14
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Adam: @RetroArchetype
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Gaming snacks
06:51 - Conquest Melbourne
07:37 - Gary Con news
08:20 - Shadowdark
11:56 - Matt Mercer in the new DMG
15:05 - More Gary Con news
29:33 - Tome Of Beasts on D&D Beyond
32:20 - Monsters of Drakkenheim
36:15 - D&D LEGO release
41:03 - D&D Converse
42:10 - Baldur's Gate cancelled
48:11 - Remembering James M. Ward
50:09 - D&D is for Nerds podcast
Paying your DM can change the dynamic at your D&D table, but do paid dungeon masters ruin the TTRPG hobby for everyone? Meanwhile, WotC makes a pact for the next D&D video game: Warlock!LAST CHANCE to Late Pledge to Grim Hollow: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qvEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro01:05 - Divinity trailer04:24 - Warlock D&D game19:43 - Jason Carl departs White Wolf24:30 - New head of D&D!26:59 - Holiday stream schedule28:55 - Finding regular players40:54 - Paid GMing
The Cosmere RPG set the record for TTRPG crowdfunding and then vanished? So where did it go? Meanwhile D&D Beyond plans for the future and why is Jubensha the best roleplaying game you've never heard of?Enter the Enchanting Emporiums with 30% off (use EE30): https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2025_12_219 People Make Games Jubensha documentary: https://youtu.be/6_dlxbGUNNQ?siEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinBrooks: @brooksthoEditor: Jess Berthelsen-MurrayTopics:00:00 - Intro02:50 - Is Cosmere over already?14:46 - Jubensha (scripted murder)28:43 - An Italian 5e adventure31:40 - Future for D&D Beyond39:38 - Enchanting Emporiums43:09 - Evil Hat Production pitches45:05 - Make 5e combat challenging
D&D sales figures expose the REAL popularity of 5e 2024, we're give our gift giving guide for the TTRPG fan in your life, and discuss how to bring adventure campaigns to that satisfying conclusion!Transform your wardrobe at the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:13 - TTRPG gift guide05:09 - D&D sales lies!19:02 - Restarting a Campaign after hiatus30:28 - Satisfying campaign endings
The Mighty Nein animated show gets pulled from YouTube ahead of it's Amazon release! The D&D Netflix series could be in trouble, and is there a difference between game crunch and 'control', and which camp do 5e, Daggerheart or Draw Steel fall into?Transform your wardrobe at the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:08 - Too many stat blocks?08:17 - Mighty Nein animated series12:11 - D&D Netflix22:01 - Forgotten Realms books delay23:10 - D&D Nexus rebrand29:30 - Kickstarter strike ends31:08 - Ghostfire Gaming merch33:30 - rules crunch & control49:18 - System agnostic adventures
Hero Forge divides fans with a licensing agreement, the Fantasy Grounds VTT goes Free-to-Play, and should D&D bring Prestige Classes back to 5e 2024?Check out the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro00:23 - Evil player-characters08:40 - Dark Sun?11:03 - Moonbeam wanes19:43 - Hero Forge controversy!37:48 - Fantasy Grounds goes FTP42:36 - Prestige classes in 5e 2024
Daggerheart launches its first adventure module Kickstarter set in the eldritch city of Drakkenheim! The Blood Hunter also finds its way into Daggerheart while D&D revives Xanathar's subclasses through Unearthed Arcana.Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:08 - Min/Maxing combos06:32 - Daggerheart's first adventure16:43 - Blood Hunter in Daggerheart21:38 - Unearth Arcana: Subclasses38:17 - D&D's new T&C's45:32 - Tariff relief?46:42 - Making Con adventures fun
Sigil has failed its final death save! Is D&D Beyond Maps a good enough replacement? Dragonlance gets resurrected, 5e 2024 could be the most successful edition yet, and what level should you start your campaign?Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro02:20 - Games of paranoia05:27 - Critical Role goes mainstreamer09:03 - Daylight savings09:47 - Sigil laid to rest15:09 - Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart17:32 - Dragonlance returns?26:34 - 5e 2024 is D&D's fastest seller30:56 - Best D&D starting level?48:39 - Narrative leveling
D&D 5e makes magic a group activity with new Circle Casting, Critical Role pushes actual play further as a performance art, and we debate whether a TTRPG is a Shared Story or an Interactive Narrative.Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro03:17 - D&D's new circle casting14:10 - Critical Role pushes the industry23:48 - Passing of Rob Wieland24:33 - Tariff warning25:49 - Shared storytelling vs Interactive narrative
How is a D&D Liveplay different from your home game? Diana Fay and Adam Carnevale help explain what makes a TTRPG Liveplay good! Also, should you tinker with 5e monster rules? How do you play test your own homebrew? Do we need to evacuate?Check out 'Elder Gods And Dragons' & Scryglass Studio: https://www.egnd.com.au/Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelAdam: @RetroArchetypeDiana: @DianaOfTheRose Editor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:05 - DON'T start a liveplay10:34 - Scryglass Studio11:15 - PAX Aus recap17:03 - Critical Role cartoon updates22:00 - Players surprising GM's29:31 - Should you homebrew monsters?38:01 - Evacuation!42:44 - How to playtest homebrew58:51 - Changing D&D's cosmology
Darrington Press attracts HUGE 3rd party talent like the Dungeon Dudes, who announce Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart. The Mighty Nein on Amazon gets a launch date, WotC want MOAR D&D video games, and a new 5e 2024 Psion drops in Unearthed Arcana.Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Sign up to play at PAX Aus: https://ghostfiregaming.odoo.com/eventsEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneJames: @jamesjhaeckMonty: @montycmartinKelly: @kaiinreallifeEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:18 - Writing TTRPG worlds10:56 - Daggerheart in Drakkenheim!27:00 - Mighty Nein launch date38:57 - PAX Aus & Gamehole Con41:12 - MORE D&D video games43:00 - Kickstarter United strike44:32 - Unearthed Arcana: Psion
Do the Fey of Lorwyn fit into the Forgotten Realms? Is there a better MtG crossover for 5e 2024? The Grim Hollow Campaign Guide erupts onto D&D Beyond, Stranger Things gets a new box set, and we ponder what power is in a True Name?Get the Grim Hollow Campaign Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinLaTia: @latiajacquiseAdam: @retroarchetypeEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro02:04 - Dream MtG crossovers09:29 - Lorwyn First Light24:52 - Grim Hollow Campaign Guide32:42 - D&D Beyond updates38:19 - D&D Starter Set42:44 - Stranger Things Box Set46:26 - True Names of the fey
Is Unearthed Arcana becoming a problem for WotC? Has 5e 2024 finally gotten the Arcane Archer right? Which D&D edition is the most expensive? What are your thoughts on homebrew?RACE to get Torque Borg by clicking THIS LINK! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977140613/torque-borg-a-wasteland-rpg?ref=1fwvx3Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Reasons to play TTRPG's06:29 - Unearthed Arcana (again!)18:19 - Torque Borg22:48 - Most expensive D&D edition?33:04 - TTRPG in the EU retail market39:57 - Thoughts on homebrew?
What are the best adventures for introducing new players to D&D 5e? Does the new Starter Set, Heroes of the Borderlands, truly have it all?UNLOCK the Dark Fantasy Construction Kit from Arkenforge: https://bit.ly/DarkenforgeEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro07:34 - D&D's new Starter Set17:45 - Dark fantasy construction kit21:32 - Witcher Watch23:26 - Do evil gods matter?40:58 - Should GMs help players?48:28 - Breaking in as a freelancer
Wizards of the Coast chart their future D&D plans as a franchise, we explore whether a TTRPG should be balanced or fun, and there's IMPORTANT late-breaking Critical Role news!LAST CHANCE to Set Sail on the Aetherial Expanse: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro03:53 - Aetherial Expanse ENDING soon!07:54 - Critical Role play with puppies08:44 - WotC plans for the future23:29 - Is AI actually the future?33:37 - Adventures with TOO MANY choices43:25 - Does game balance matter?
Do players EVER actually have choices in prewritten adventures? Is the sandbox purely an illusion? How do TTRPG game designers ensure characters have agency choosing their path forward? An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckErin: @nireleEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro00:58 - The Faithless Wench of TTRPG's04:55 - Dreams of the Drowned God21:00 - ANOTHER another D&D video game26:51 - 5e returns to Brazil27:45 - Are ALL adventures linear?
Why NOBODY predicted Critical Role would choose D&D over Daggerheart! And what does a West Marches style campaign mean for Campaign 4? We also invoke the dreaded name of Dark Sun!Get the Grim Hollow Player's Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinJames: @jamesjhaeckEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:16 - A Lorecast actual play?05:16 - Critical Role choose D&D!18:20 - Critical Role and West Marches32:06 - Grim Hollow launches on D&D Beyond!35:52 - Unearthed Arcana hints at Dark Sun
In the OGL aftermath and the full release of D&D 2024, is the game better or worse than it's ever been? Is 5e 2024 actually better than 5e 2014? An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinMike: @SlyFlourish Editor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - The Aftermath of the OGL17:51 - Is D&D 2024 better than 2014?36:15 - Baldur's Gate 4?40:07 - New 5e Adventure module!45:03 - How to plan campaign narratives
Todd Kenreck helps us to ponder which community members should WotC choose for the D&D Advisory Panel? Gen Con hits record attendance! Then we settle in to build cozy homes and grimdark worlds for your TTRPG adventures.An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinTodd: @ToddKenreck Editor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:34 - The future for Todd Kenreck17:53 - D&D advisory panel24:22 - Gen Con record attendance29:15 - Cozy bastions46:05 - Dark fantasy adventure building
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
Incredible episode. I'll probably circle back to it and listen again as I work on home brewing my system
Just here to drop off my thumbs, stars, and comments. Keep up the great advice and timely news!
by the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes! I listen to most Eldritch lore casts and this is the first time I had to comment, and about your outro. Fab show. you could do worse than quoting a line from Macbeth to close the show. just a suggestion from an English major. replace the bibbity bobbity boo stuff with thumbs stuff.
Great episode, as always, love the Curse of Strahd workshopping at the end, more of that type of stuff please. Nothing better than seeing people doing what they do best. Plus Ben's description of a vampire was magnificent.
a lot of prophecy that has come true in this episode