The Eldritch Lorecast
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Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and Todd Kenreck 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.
229 Episodes
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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
Chris Perkins reveals how Vecna: Eve of Ruin COULD have been a perfect finale for 5e 2014, D&D continues the march towards its digital future, and is the fall of Discord going to harm tabletop roleplaying games?Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro09:20 - Vecna’s missing obelisks19:57 - Hasbro pushes digital26:46 - Discord hurting TTRPGs35:42 - Villain foreshadowing49:39 - Volcano adventures
D&D gets a television series as a sequel to Baldur's Gate 3 while Apple TV greenlights multiple Cosmere projects. Then remembering we're a TTRPG podcast, we debate whether Wild Shape is magical and why Encumbrance is a GREAT RULE, ACTUALLY TODD!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro01:16 - Is Wild Shape magic?08:46 - HBO Baldur's Gate 3 series17:59 - Apple TV Cosmere series24:39 - Beadle & Grimms D&D leaks27:41 - GM books vs player books37:14 - When to help players with rules51:51 - Enforcing encumbrance
Does Demiplane's NEW Campaign feature give it an edge over D&D Beyond? Meanwhile, WotC continues hiring game designers, and how can YOU design the best dungeons?Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro03:59 - WotC hires MORE designers05:49 - New Hasbro board members08:07 - Why AI can't play D&D15:19 - New Demiplane features21:16 - Designing GREAT dungeons35:56 - Setting Ability Check DC's
D&D introduces itself to Fortnite players, WotC hires ANOTHER fantastic game designer, and we decide upon the TOP 3 D&D 5e Adventure Modules!Follow Neopia Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - TOP 3 D&D Adventure Modules12:18 - WotC Hires Shawn13:30 - D&D Fortnite collab18:01 - D&D Beyond 3rd party updates25:42 - Neopia Quest29:45 - DriveThru RPG price rise30:50 - Farewell Jean Rabe32:08 - Making solo scenes work43:45 - Homebrew magic itemsFortnite island codes:D&D Boxfights – 1190-4691-0255D&D Treasure RNG – 4958-2624-5634D&D Dungeon Deathrun – 5806-6430-0158D&D Bossfight – 2218-1049-5866D&D Zombie Dragon Adventure (early access) – 2525-9596-3235
Is the D&D Shrinkflation getting more noticeable with Eberron: Forge of the Artificer? Are bigger or smaller TTRPG books better? Does Critical Role or Stranger Things sell more D&D? All that, and more!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - D&D book shrinkflation08:34 - Ed Greenwood on RPG book quality18:58 - Non-WotC Forgotten Realms book?25:45 - WotC staff shuffle32:42 - The Stranger Things effect40:31 - Unearthed Arcana: Mystic Subclass47:49 - Games Workshop says "No AI"53:11 - Are miniatures needed?
Why ARE D&D, Daggerheart, and Draw Steel the ONLY roleplaying games folks talk about? What is Crows and when can you playtest it? How do you tackle GM mental overload?Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @DannyCalamari Topics:00:00 - Intro00:29 - Non-D&D games we play03:55 - Why we DON'T talk non-D&D games17:05 - What is Crows?25:47 - Handling GM mental overload39:11 - Hex grid vs square grid48:38 - Alternate combat win conditions
The biggest D&D news podcast welcomes their newest Co-Host! Critical Role plans for their future while WotC is yet to reveal any D&D books for 2026.Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro03:34 - Todd Kenreck's new job!05:45 - D&D's plans in 202613:03 - Stranger Things S5 (spoilers)17:46 - Future of Critical Role32:45 - Adhoc and Crit Role video game36:00 - Industry passings37:09 - Stat Block integrity
The Eldritch Lorecast says another sad farewell! We try deciphering our own Spotify wrapped while pondering whether systems of magic inherently make it impossible to balance a TTRPG, and is that a bad thing?Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: Danny CamilleriTopics:00:00 - Intro04:23 - Lorecast's terrible analytics20:51- Another sad farewell24:03 - Systems of magic34:25 - Balancing spellcasters46:06 - Is balancing the party important?56:16 - Favorite poems
What was the BEST game released in 2025? What stories reshaped the TTRPG industry? The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and tabletop gaming with the Elly Awards!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro02:23 - Biggest news of 202512:01- Best TTRPG release16:56 - Best TTRPG related release22:59 - Best Con of 202527:46 - Guests of the year30:01 - A sad farewell35:04 - New Years resolutions45:29 - Best Lorecast moments 2025
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
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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