The Eldritch Lorecast

Some of the best rules at a D&D table don't come from D&D at all. This week we dig into other games like Daggerheart and Shadowdark to find what's worth smuggling into your 5.5e game. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Matt:  @heyitsMattyP  Adam:  @RetroArchetype  Editor:  @jberrt  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - TTRPG's that ma...

Jay Jani from D&D Beyond joins us to talk digital tools at the table, what goes into a monthly Drop, and the Sorrow Knight! The first full subclass to arrive through the program. We also get into Ravenloft: Project Lamordia, what Ghostfire is bringing to PAX Australia, and how to make a horror adventure scare and delight your players. Want to join Ghostfire Gaming at PAX Australia? See the Gam...

The D&D: World of Warcraft previews keep rolling in, and the new monster abilities have everyone asking whether casters are finally getting reined in. We also cover Dragonlance joining the D&D Icons line, D&D novels getting reprinted in the UK, and whether bolting rules from other games together is a 5th Edition habit or something D&D faithfuls have always done. Email your question...

Preorders are open for D&D: World of Warcraft, the first book in the new Universes Beyond line. But, what does a crossover this big mean for the future of D&D? We also dig into the Seeker's Guide to Dreaded Demigods,hunt for systems that make non-combat gameplay sing, and work out why hexcrawls keep pulling us back in. Follow The Seeker's Guide to Dreaded Demigods on Kickstarter: h...

Unearthed Arcana returns to the Underdark for round two, with new Cleric and Sorcerer subclasses, an updated Circle of Spores Druid, and FIVE playable species. Meanwhile, we tackle character death in D&D, figure out how to run a HUGE dungeon without losing your mind, and ponder whether Frankensteining game systems together makes a masterpiece or a monster? Back Aberration NOW it's the LAST...

Netflix announces a Ravenloft TV series, but who should play D&D's most notorious villain, Strahd von Zarovich? We fondly remember the D&D movie, recap every announced (and cancelled) D&D TV show, and ponder whether 5.5e should have bounded Hit Points? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @Th...

Gameplay footage from Warlock gets a HUGE reaction, and D&D drops ANOTHER surprise video game trailer! Meanwhile, we ponder whether a 5.5e adventure could ever feel like The Odyssey? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @jb...

The latest D&D Unearthed Arcana lets your 5.5e character "transform" into a Mind Flayer! But shouldn't turning into a monster be a bad thing? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @jberrt  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - UA: Mind Flayer Transformati...

Digital platforms like D&D Beyond continue to infiltrate the TTRPG industry with the release of Free League Unbound! Could Paizo recover from their money troubles? And what's the secret to ensuring your D&D Players are always having fun? Learn how to use their curiosity against them! Noclip⁩  documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAv0LYLQi5c&tEmail your questions to podcast@...

An UNPRECEDENTED amount of D&D news fell out of Gen Con, including Icons, Dark Sun, and even Universes Beyond setting up a massive number of new D&D products! Follow Aberration here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @jberrt  Topics: 00:00...

SO MUCH D&D news exploded at Gen Con, including Icons, Dark Sun, Greyhawk, and the Universes Beyond projects: World of Warcraft and Star Wars... we barely had time to cover it all while sheltering from a tornado! GeeknSon gaming tables: https://geeknson.com/pages/game-room-gaming-table Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Joey:  @JamesJHaeck  Justice: @justicer...

What's more dangerous in D&D than a monster? The party! So give your players a taste of their own medicine with the "Anti-Party" method. Also, should roleplaying be MANDATORY for a Warlock player? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @jberrt  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:42 - The &quot...

Are D&D Encounters replacing the Adventurer's League? Meanwhile, Paizo revokes its Pathfinder and Starfinder license from Archives of Nethys and we decide the best social encounter rules. Book your seat for the Starlight D&D Epic: https://events.humanitix.com/starlight-dnd Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Shawn:...

WotC announces a STAGGERING number of D&D events for Gen Con, which could change the future of 5.5e forever! Daggerheart releases new playtests for the Summoner and Blood Hunter, while Chaosium Vote Grim Hollow for Best Setting at the ENNIES: https://vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2026/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Shaw...

Is it ever safe to let your D&D party argue among themselves? Should just ANY character be allowed to use Thieves Tools to pick a lock? What makes a great TTRPG open game license? We answer the tough questions on this week's episode! Learn about Aberration: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB_2026_7_249 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydae...

We're sharing HORROR stories from our early days GM'ing for D&D or other TTRPG's, giving tips on how to improve as a game master, and digging deeper into Vampire: The Masquerade on D&D Beyond. Pre-order Vampire: The Masquerade - Bound by Blood: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/4IQF87I?pid=DB4IQF87I Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne...

HUGE News this week with Vampire: the Masquerade landing on D&D Beyond while WotC reveals more of how Unearthed Arcana 5.5e playtesting works. Jennifer Kretchmer joins us to talk TTRPG accessibility, educating the next generation of game designers, and what playing a Paladin truly means! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: ‪ ⁨@ToddKenrec...

Joined this week by special guest Logan, we question whether the FATE TTRPG is dying, chonky dragons in chonkier dice, Hasbro IP's coming to D&D 5.5e and how to survive your first Convention in style! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Shawn: @shawnmerwin Dael: @dailydael Todd: ‪@ToddKenreck‬ Logan:  @Runesmith  Editor: ‪ @jberrt  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:03 - The End of F...

Is WotC listening to the community with the changes to D&D Beyond Drops? We meet the members of the D&D Advisory Group, Hasbro starts up an AI company, and Paizo are forced to make some difficult choices. Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Sha...

Grim Hollow 5.5e FINALLY brings horror and grimdark adventures to D&D! Meanwhile D&D Beyond makes good on another promise, and we gear up to celebrate the International Day of Play! Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244 Start your Adventures in Etharis here:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_243 Learn more about the UNICEF Day of Play:https:/...

A D&D game is cancelled and details about a new horror TTRPG from the makers of Pathfinder and Starfinder! Meanwhile, are you a Gamist, Narrativist, or Simulationist gamer? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  @ToddKenreck  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @jberrt  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:46 - Paizo’s horror TTRPG 23:09 - D&D game cance...

D&D 5e is accused of being 'artistically hollow' by one of tabletop gaming's biggest influencers, alongside Pathfinder, Draw Steel, and Daggerheart. So we explore if that's true? Quinns Quest review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA Saga of the Seasons 5e Adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2026_5_242 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com B...

Outrage explodes at WotC over D&D Beyond Drops, which give new 5.5e content to subscribers only! But is the latest controversy real or overblown? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd:  ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  ⁨@jberrt⁩  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:32 - D&D Beyond Drops 30:49 - Chris Cocks Interview 38:37 - Neon Odysse...

This week we minimize DM prep by converting D&D adventure modules to other settings like Grim Hollow, and which one-shots make for the perfect side quests and starter adventures to kick off your TTRPG campaign! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:36 - Best side quest one-shots 09:32...

This week we revisit the hidden differences between D&D 5e and 5.5e, review the Dungeon Masters live play "Play Along Pack", and Dael actually reads an Unearthed Arcana including the Barbarian Path of Lament, Monk Warrior of Venom, and Warlock Primordial Patron. LAST WEEK to back Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236 Email your questions to podcast@ghostf...