The Eldritch Lorecast

Dael refuses to talk about AI Dungeon Masters and whether they give better D&D immersion. Then we debate how much descriptive text DM's should give players during a TTRPG? Leon Barillaro's article: https://barilleon.com/blog/the-liches-method-of-boxed-text-descriptions/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwi...

We review more D&D 2025 Monster Manual news before musing whether a TTRPG is a game or a philosophical exercise? And should a GM force permanent changes on a player character? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - Male medusa 05:20 - Monster Manual 2025 09:2...

A MASSIVE preview of the D&D 2024 Monster Manual sparks discussions about variant stat blocks, Legendary Actions, monster type changes, and whether a monster's gender is important to your campaign? Late pledge to Grim Hollow here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=9y5qai Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Ja...

D&D Beyond releases an Unearthed Arcana for the Artificer while Pathfinder commences the Impossible Playtest on two new classes. Meanwhile, why is that one relative asking you about Dungeons & Dragons all of a sudden? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:21...

We start the year with a mailbag of listener questions, including whether you can play an entire D&D campaign as a familiar? How do you use 5e character abilities outside combat? How to make your gaming sessions last longer? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Diana:  @DianaOfTheRose  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intr...

The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and the TTRPG industry with the Elly Awards! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Personal yearly highlights 07:03 - Biggest news of 2024 20:42 - Best TTRPG release 30:36 - Best TTRPG related release 33:4...

Let's talk strategies for finding compatible players for your D&D table, how to design adventures that don't cater only for certain 5e classes, and how magic shops can add to the worldbuilding of your campaign. Late Pledge to Enchanting Emporiums: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eldermancy/the-seekers-guide-to-enchanting-emporiums?ref=83s14q Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming...

Are safety tools important for your D&D game? We discuss the pros and cons of deploying the X-card during a TTRPG, and reflect on the multimedia success of Critical Role, Daggerheart, and what they're planning next! This Effin GM's video about Safety Tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dLCOgEjqE Critical Role article from Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/criti...

The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying arrives on D&D Beyond, possibly opening the door for other "Valiant" non-D&D games? We try to solve the mystery of the Exodus tabletop game, Elon Musk hints at purchasing Hasbro, and how much should you prep your campaign before session 1? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Teos:  @AlphastreamRPG  Shawn:...

Bob World Builder joins once more to dissect Dimension 20's explosively free TTRPG, the MCDM Illrigger class makes it to D&D Beyond, WotC continue to talk video games, and Elon Musk tells Hasbro to "burn in hell". Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:31 - One...

Bob World Builder joins the crew to briefly review the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, Ben gushes about the Bastion system, Shawn still wants less world building, and Dael idolizes Indiana Jones! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - D&D's mascot 05...

Where should you focus your DM prep when planning a D&D campaign? Will Bastions be included in future 5e adventure modules? Is AI art infiltrating boardgames? All that and more, right now! BoardGameWire article: https://tinyurl.com/BoardGameWireArticle Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDant...

A torrent of TTRPG news hits, including 5e 2024 monsters previewed on D&D Beyond, Critical Role touring the globe, DriveThruRPG increasing AI browsing features, and a new Ravenloft novel! Late Pledge Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @...

Hasbro changes its corporate structure which leads to layoffs, new jobs, and a new future for D&D 5e. We also discuss which TTRPG will make you a better GM, and celebrate our Lorecast Halloween tradition! FINAL DAYS to back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByr...

LIVE from Gamehole Con, the Eldritch Lorecast peaks inside the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide with LaTia Jacquise. It's a whole Dungeon Master toolbox filled with chase rules, the entire Greyhawk setting, and... doors? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenBy...

Live from PAX Aus, the Eldritch Lorecast hosts a discussion about the toll YouTube takes on the mental health of D&D and Tabletop creators. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben:  @GhostfireGaming  Trent:  @Miscast  Luna:  @Luboffin  Dave:  @TabletopTime  Dael:  @MonarchsFactory  __ Editor:  @ZsDante 

After a quick convo about community etiquette and making the internet safer, we dive into the D&D 2024 DMG update and which Bastion system is right for you? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Ed...

We explore our favorite TTRPG settings and what makes a good campaign setting, whether the 80's D&D cartoon will ever get a revival, and can 5e be played in low magic worlds? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Edit...

Kobold Press takes a strong stance on AI in the TTRPG industry, Adventurer's League integrates D&D 2024 into its organized play, and we redesign Strahd for the modern age! Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James:  @JamesJHaeck ...

Comments from Hasbro CEO ignites another discussion on AI tools in D&D, MCDM releases their creator license for Draw Steel, and we debate whether being a YouTuber helps or hinders success for TTRPG creators? Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael:...

This week the Lorecast discusses the ethics of designing wargames for the military, discusses whether bounded accuracy supports a "heroic fantasy" ludonarrative, and revises the Grim Hollow transformation rules! Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Check out People Make Games' excellent video: https://www.yout...

Matt Colville joins the Lorecast to explore whether digital tools like D&D Beyond or Project Sigil actually improve tabletop gaming? Also, which action economy is right for you? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Shawn: @shawnmerwin Matt:  @mcolville  Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:01 - Digital tools in TTRPGs 17:25 - Project Sigil 34:57 - D&...

James Introcaso from MCDM joins us to talk Draw Steel and whether developing games publicly make for better TTRPG's? D&D Beyond and Paizo both walk back unpopular policies, and can RPG's have purely storytelling rules without dice? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @JamesJHaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Big Jimbo: @JamesIntrocaso Editor: @ZsDante To...

Good news and bad news in the TTRPG industry this week as D&D books are delayed, Geek & Sundry return, Paizo changes their 3rd party licensing, and Deborah Ann Woll teaches us all about roleplaying games! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: ‪@JamesJHaeck‬ Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ‪@ZsDante‬ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:05 - Deborah A...

In the aftermath of Gen Con, a miscommunication from WotC leads to big trouble for D&D YouTubers. Meanwhile, a new record in TTRPG crowdfunding is being broken. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Shawn: @shawnmerwin Dael: @dailydael James:  @JamesJHaeck Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Con drop 07:52 - Gen Con news recap 22:47 - WotC vs YouTube 42:07 - D&D's digital f...