Ghostfire Gaming

The Eldritch Lorecast

Leisure EN ↓ 249 episodes

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 .

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Ghostfire Gaming

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#99. D&D Beyond Publishes 3rd Party Content 23.08.2023 1:03:31

D&D Beyond publishes it's first 3rd party supplement, Tal'Dorei Reborn from Darrington Press. We also review Glory of the Giants, and decide when it's okay to give players meta knowledge to make in game choices. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:59 -...

#98. Daggerheart's Radical Divergence from D&D 5e! 16.08.2023 1:06:42

We're diving into the design of Daggerheart from Darrington Press, and just how different it is from D&D 5e. We also announce a new board game, discuss the Playtest 5 survey results, and discover why not everyone's happy with Baldur's Gate 3's success. Discover more about Aberration: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ABB_2023_7_098 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming...

#97. AI Art 'Lends a Hand' to D&D's Giants Book 09.08.2023 1:03:42

Live from Gen Con 2023 we discuss AI art infiltrating the TTRPG industry, events from the convention show floor, US pub culture vs Australian, and celebrate industry award winners. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Anthony: @AJoyce_Rivera Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Gen Con 2023 17:14 - USA vs Australia 24:3...

#96. Is Kickstarter Killing the TTRPG Industry? 02.08.2023 1:04:43

This week we dive into the mailbag to answer your D&D and TTRPG questions, including whether the Kickstarter hype cycle is killing the TTRPG industry, and whether there's a solution to challenge ratings! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:38 - American vs Aus...

#95. Will MCDM's New TTRPG Change the Industry? 26.07.2023 1:07:55

Lots of sneak peaks this week: Matt Colville reveals design goals for the MCDM roleplaying game, Wizards of the Coast preview Planescape, and Candela Obscura announces Chapter 2! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Best incorporeal undead? 09:52 - Planescape snea...

#94. Bigby Presents- Hold on, is Gandalf a Paladin? 19.07.2023 1:05:43

This week's Eldritch Lorecast asks the big question! Which giant is best giant? Why are psionics largely absent from D&D 5e? Is Gandalf a paladin!? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Which Giant is best? 06:39 - Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants 17:01 - Mirrorscape's...

#93. How Much D&D Romance is Too Much? 12.07.2023 1:01:40

This episode includes Baldur's Gate 3, D&D romances, and a bear! We also congratulate the Ennie Award nominees, and Smosh (finally) starts their live play game. Check out the Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:...

#92. Is New D&D 5e too Focused on Player Success? 05.07.2023 57:53

The latest Unearthed Arcana drops another 5e playtest packet, prompting more conversation about D&D's goals as a game. We also give a few opinions on the latest changes. Discover 'Arora: Age of Desolation' with new 5e exploration mechanics: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AR01_2023_7_092 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James:...

#91. Valiant Tales About TTRPG Publishing 28.06.2023 1:04:02

Shawn Merwin, Dael Kingsmill and James Haeck hosts this episode discussing the Tales of the Valiant, how to get noticed if you plan to publish your own adventure/TTRPGs and other listener emails with our honoured guest Scott Fitzgeralt Gray! Check out Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Shawn: @shawnm...

#90. Favorite 5e Monsters to Make Formidable! 21.06.2023 1:06:00

D&D Community managers Sarah Chaffee and LaTia Jacquise join the Eldritch Lorecast to chat about the spookiest monsters, playing games in public spaces, and being part of this wonderful community! Check out Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaeck Sarah: @sarahiscoffee...

#89. The REAL Reason D&D isn't Changing Editions! 14.06.2023 59:54

The Aetherial Expanse Kickstarter launches, the city of Baldur's Gate is finally revealed, and Jeremy Crawford predicts another 10 years of D&D 5e. Check out Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaeck Luna: @luboffin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 -...

#88. Pathfinder Refresh Moves out from D&D's Shadow 07.06.2023 1:04:07

Pathfinder tries to separate itself further from D&D with a rules refresh! Teos and Adam rejoin the Lorecast to review the Pathfinder changes and answer some pressing listener emails. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Shawn: @shawnmerwin Adam: @RetroArchetype Teos: @Alphastream Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 06:05 - Problem with Pathfinder 09:36 - Pat...

#87. Is Candela Obscura a TTRPG Clone? 31.05.2023 1:00:44

The Eldritch Lorecast dives into the Candela Obscura quickplay rules, and answers if there's been a copyright breach? Is the D&D Movie likely to get a sequel? Should we be worried about a TTRPG price rise? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:33 - Candela Obs...

#86. You'll Like Feats if We TELL YOU to Like Feats 24.05.2023 1:10:24

Blasting through the small amount of D&D and TTRPG news, we then discuss game design through the lens of writing style, flavor text vs rules text, and how to name things. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:27 - Ghostfire's going to Gen Con 2023 12:02 - Dael’s str...

#85. A New 5e Setting on a Sea of Starlight! 17.05.2023 1:02:15

We dive into the Aetherial Expanse to explore Ghostfire Gaming's new 5e campaign setting, get hyped for Critical Role's "Candela Obscura", and a fantastic listener email plunges us into a discussion of game design theory. Get notified when The Aetherial Expanse sets sail: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977277590/the-aetherial-expanse-setting-guide Email your questions to po...

#84. D&D Beyond Misplaces Monsters for Charity! 10.05.2023 1:07:00

We celebrate the release of Misplaced Monsters for a great cause, discuss what a 3rd Party D&D Beyond marketplace would look like, and explore the multiverse! Find your Misplaced Monsters: https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace/sourcebooks/misplaced-monsters-volume-one Get updates on the Aetherial Expanse: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977277590/the-aetherial-expanse-setting-guide Email...

#83. Are D&D Classes System or Content? 03.05.2023 1:02:26

While breaking down the latest D&D 5e playtest packet, we ponder whether classes are indeed system or content? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Spell school quiz 06:53 - Are player classes system or content? 36:05 - Reviewing the D&D playtest packet 5...

#82. Is Critical Role Finished With D&D? 26.04.2023 1:10:08

We decide what should be in the new 5e DMG, before gauging our hype levels for Daggerheart and Illuminated Worlds from Darrington Press! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Mike: SupergeekMike Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro04:24 - When to call in the Pinkertons13:54 - 2024 Dungeon Masters Guide sneak peak40:49 - Word&#...

#81. Marisha Ray And Never Giving Up! 19.04.2023 1:08:02

This week Adam Carnevale ("D&D is for Nerds") gives us his best D&D puzzle ideas, we ponder the roll out of 5.5e on D&D Beyond, and celebrate Marisha Ray's amazing throw down at Creator Clash 2. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Discover "D&D is for Nerds": https://www.sanspantsradio.com/podcasts/dd-is-for-nerds/ Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @Da...

#80. The D&D Creator Summit's Unmet Expectations 12.04.2023 1:12:30

Teos Abadia reports from the field at the D&D Creator Summit, where tensions got a little heated as the future of 5e was revealed! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Teos: @Alphastream Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:56 - D&D Creator Summit recap 06:43 - Mismatched expectations 15:40 - D&D VTT hands on 41...

#79. Will the D&D VTT Change Tabletop Gaming? 05.04.2023 59:37

All the news from the D&D Direct is dissected while a Ghostfire spy feeds us information from the Digital D&D Creator Summit! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:07 - Honor Among Thieves review (No Spoilers!) 06:41 - D&D Direct 07:42 - Minecraft x D&D DLC 13:06 - Hasb...

#78. Pondering our 'D&D Direct' Predictions 29.03.2023 1:00:46

Timely as always, this week's episode predicts the D&D Direct event only hours before it goes live! We ponder what the core books of One D&D might look like, and the give advice to folks starting out as game designers. Email the podcast: podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:56 -...

#77. First Look at Black Flag's Fighter & Wizard 22.03.2023 57:29

We scrutinize the second Project: Black Flag playtest packet from Kobold Press, finally get some insight from the One D&D survey results, and ponder how a GM can 'humble' troublesome players. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:25 - Black Flag playtest pa...

#76. Wine & Dine Me, Wizards of the Coast! 15.03.2023 1:00:01

Some thoughts on the D&D Content Creator Summit, Wizard of the Coast's apparent strategy for the community moving forward, and how to DM climactic boss encounters! Meanwhile Ben and Dael got to see Honor Among Thieves a little early. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Join the Valikan Clans Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2023_1_069 Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @...

#75. Did WotC just Spoil Honor Among Thieves? 08.03.2023 57:50

'Tabletop News' producer Adam Rady joins the Lorecast to discuss the state of news and entertainment in the TTRPG industry! Also, did the characters' stats from Honor Among Thieves spoil the D&D movie? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Join the Valikan Clans Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2023_1_069 Follow Tabletop News: https://twitter.com/watchtabletop B...