The Eldritch Lorecast

This week we dive deep into Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, discussing Critical Role Easter eggs, rival parties, and what we're most excited for! James and Shawn give insight into working in the TTRPG industry, and Dael doesn't think that's how lunar magic works while Ben crosses his arms in thoughtful disagreement. Email questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDa...

We spend this week's podcast exploring our favorite D&D campaign settings and answering listener questions! We chat about player races, NPCs, and whether Saving Throws are redundant? Email questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ghostfire Gaming Discord: https://discord.gg/QamRfm8d2A Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael Logan: @the_runesmith Shawn: @shawnmerwin Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:38 - Favorit...

This week we finally deep dive into The Legend of Vox Machina!! We also discuss how Liveplays are changing and what makes one worth watching? Email questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:00 - Re-capping The Legend of Vox Machina 15:30 - Is Legend of Vox Machina good at translating D&D? 24:02 - Swe...

This week Jim Davis from  @Web DM  joins the Eldritch Lorecast to help us learn from past editions of Dungeons & Dragons and brew house rules together from what we discover! Email: podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Jim: @therealjimdavis Check out Weird Wastelands: https://weird-wastelands.backerkit.com/ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 07:33 - Web DM...

We dirty our souls discussing exactly why NFTs are terrible for the TTRPG industry, and then dive into listener email questions about DnD homebrew mechanics and house rules. Email: podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Topics: 00:00 - Favorite House Rules 11:24 - Why NFTs Are TERRIBLE for the TTRPG Industry! 27:01 - Alternative Exhaustio...

Runesmith returns once more to dive even deeper into the Sunken Isles, their new 5e adventure module. We explore the monster statblocks, including the mighty Shrimp Lord! Dael still hasn't seen The Legend of Vox Machina, James explores 5e condition mechanics, and Ben gushes about violent dragon attacks! Back the Sunken Isles Kickstarter now! Discover more about Purple Mai'a here . Ben: @Melb_DM Da...

This week James returns to help us celebrate a dice bag's worth of TTRPG news! Fables: Citadel of the Unseen Sun's second episode arrives, Tal'Dorei is Reborn, and we discuss Scanlan's [censored] on The Legend of Vox Machina. Check out the Daemon Oak from  @Woodart Vietnam : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksxNvJXVh_U Fables: Citadel of the Unseen Sun: https://ghostfiregaming.com/fables/ Ben:...

Railroading isn't such a bad thing, and this week we mount the argument why when discussing running campaigns for uncreative dungeon masters. We also answer email questions about satisfying endings and how to make it fun to outlaw magic. Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Logan: @the_runesmith Topics: 00:00 - Intro 10:08 - DMing adventures when you're not creative 18:32 - How do yo...

Shawn unveils Grim Hollow: The Monster Grimoire to the public and we discuss building encounters around our favorite monsters. Ben and Dael debate Fire Elementals vs a bucket of water, and just how magical is that magical weapon? Grim Hollow: The Monster Grimoire: https://ghostfiregaming.com/product/grim-hollow-the-monster-grimoire-pdf/ Ben: @Melb_DM Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Logan: @th...

Runesmith himself, Logan Reese, returns to The Eldritch Lorecast to introduce his first 5th Edition adventure module; Sunken Isles. We're also delving into player-character backgrounds and how crafting your perfect backstory, and answering the big questions about sausage rolls! Sign up for news from the Sunken Isles Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/the-sunken-isles/ Topics: 00:00 - intro 0...

The Eldritch Lorecast is back in 2022 and we're looking forward to a bright future in the TTRPG space. James discusses the release of his Fables baby, Shawn exhibits signs of Dragon Rage, Dael aims for some achievable goals including "2 small tricks", and Ben reminds himself to get back in touch with D&D as a hobby. Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:39 - Reflecting on 2021 03:59 - Release of Fables: Ci...

The crew continue our Christmas themed adventure, playing FATE: Accelerated by Evil Hat Productions. Gripped by terror one year more, is the entirety of Landhaus who have all locked their doors... which is likely wise with Kallos, Brillo and Eleanor running amok! The Tale Continued: 00:00 - Intro 01:32 - When we last left our heroes... 06:15 - Eleanor making enemies 21:19 - Confronting The Giver 3...

On this very special episode of The Eldritch Lorecast, we're taking some time off from game design to play FATE: Accelerated, from Evil Hat Productions. 'Tis all winter solstice and silent in the city of Landhaus... until our heroes incite a riot and start breaking into homes in search of a mysterious gift giving monster! The Tale: 00:00 - Intro 01:57 - FATE: Accelerated rules 04:05 - Our story be...

This week's Lorecast asks the big questions about whether you NEED to expand your TTRPG repertoire or 5th Edition D&D can cover every genre? James gets excited about Fables: Citadel of the Unseen Sun and Dael introduces us to The Gentleman. Download the first chapter of Fables FREE: https://ghostfiregaming.com/fables/  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:12 - Favorite Christmas gifts 07:00 - Fables...

This episode is all about the arcane, eldritch, and magical as we anticipate the release of Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos. Dael makes controversial claims about Counterspell, Ben is mad at Suggestion, Shawn warns against the dangers of not cleaning up after a ritual, and James enjoys the mutual destruction of fireball. An email sparks a debate about whether bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing d...

The Dungeon Dude's drop by to take us on a tour of their dark fantasy adventure module, the Dungeons of Drakkenheim! Monty contaminates the world of Drakkenheim with new spells and magic items, Kelly has regrets about the monsters he's created, Ben mutates into Colbert momentarily, and Dael wants us to follow the rabbit of happiness! Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - What fictitious world would you es...

Ben and Dael get recklessly empathetic for their new D&D characters while Shawn onboards new players by limiting their options. James get critical about the result of rolling a natural 20... or a natural 1. Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:31 - Character creation 23:38 - Using pre-generated characters 29:24 - Onboarding new players & Session 0's 37:00 - Having 'Reckless Empathy' for your character...

Shawn and James break down their approaches to designing monsters for 5th Edition D&D, Dael explains building in a "Death Star Exhaust Port" to her monsters, and Ben is surprised by how virtuous everyone's player-characters are. We delve into the merits of running "An Evil Campaign" *cue lightning* and how each of us would approach such a dastardly game. Ask us a question for the latest episod...

James reveals all about Fables: Citadel of the Unseen Sun! This first ever Grim Hollow adventure module releases in instalments, starting in January 2022. The crew also discuss how digital tools such as Pathfinder Nexus and D&D Beyond have evolved alongside TTRPGs, and where they might be going. What is the scent of delusion? Are hit points meat? Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:48 - Fables - What? Wh...

In Episode #05 we take a break from the news cycle to ask each other what we love most about playing tabletop roleplaying games like D&D 5e? How do you get started if you've never played before? Do complex game mechanics tell a better story than simple ones? Ben has strong feelings about whether you should turn your passion for TTRPGs into your job while Dael sees into the future and talks bri...

Episode #04 features Logan from Runesmith taking us on tavern crawl through "The Seeker's Guide to Twisted Taverns", and we hotly debate the function of passive perception over a brew. As the night goes on we get philosophical about the alignment chart and the nature of morality, before diving into myths and morality tales. No birds were harmed in the making of this podcast. Topics: 00:02:01 - "Yo...

Episode #03 takes a Netherdeep Dive into the new Critical Role book, "Call of the Netherdeep", with James spilling some secrets from the depths. We uncover the evolving magic item's from Fizban's Treasury and evolve it into a conversation about arcane artefacts in general. Then we get spooky, brainstorming experiences for Halloween and horror themed RPG's. Are vampires the most philosophical monst...

Episode #02 of The Eldritch Lorecast explores Fizban's Treasury of Dragons and what we're excited to see in the new book! We also discuss the new Unearthed Arcana: Travelers of the Multiverse while pretending to know all about Spelljammers, explore how to make choosing racial traits far more customizable and dynamic, suggest variant roleplay tools such as prompt cards and relationship mapping, and...

Welcome to Episode #01 of The Eldritch Lorecast, where we dissect the news in the tabletop RPG industry and discussing our findings! This week it's the arrival of Grim Hollow: The Player's Guide to Kickstarter backers, the Quest-o-Nomicon and designing adaptable adventures, changes coming in Mordenkainen's Monsters of the Multiverse , and our hopes and dreams for Dungeons & Dragons 5.5e. Topic...