

The Eldritch Lorecast
Ghostfire Gaming
Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and James Haeck 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 57min
#199. Is This the Critical Role Video Game We Wanted?
Critical Role announces their first video game, WotC boasts the BIGGEST D&D starter set ever, Eberron is delayed, and is "D&D in a Castle" offering a new career path?Unlock the Grim Hollow Player's Guide, today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=3hjfbfEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:12 - TTRPG from video games06:41 - Starfinder video game10:28 - Critical Role's video game17:08 - Grim Hollow: The Player’s Guide releases19:35 - D&D's BIGGEST ever starter set27:42 - New Stranger Things D&D box set33:54 - Eberron book delayed35:54 - Green Ronin vs Diamond40:05 - Draughts worker strike41:16 - D&D DM University

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
#198. D&D isn't a Game, Anymore! It's a Brand.
Big changes for D&D as Wizards of the Coast step towards a franchise model, while Darrington Press take their next big steps as a TTRPG publisher! Also, what exactly IS a Warlock or a Rogue?Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinLogan: @Runesmith Editor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro07:01 - D&D becoming a "franchise"21:19 - Darrington Press levels up!27:31 - Gen Con update32:32 - D&D Classes core fantasy52:37 - Obsolete design ideas

Jul 9, 2025 • 57min
#197. Do Characters EVER Die in Daggerheart?
How impactful SHOULD character death be in a TTRPG like Daggerheart or D&D? We ponder this while Paizo experiences book delays, the ENNIE awards are announced, and we decide what monster manuals to make!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro00:46 - Shopping at FLGS07:26 - Diamond bankruptcy13:43 - Board game cafe strike19:31 - ENNIE nominations21:42 - Handling character death34:42 - GM social leaders48:36 - Monster themed books

Jul 2, 2025 • 59min
#196. Daggerheart Playtest Rules Ruin Friendships!
Daggerheart releases two new classes into playtesting, triggering a heated rules debate over moons! Meanwhile, another Unearthed Arcana brings the Necromancer Wizard and Hexblade Warlock back to D&D 2024.Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:14 - What is an Undead?06:04 - Unearthed Arcana subclasses23:11 - The missing Todd in the room24:50 - New Daggerheart playtest46:09 - Tabletop Workers United47:23 - Taking GM notes

Jun 25, 2025 • 59min
#195. We Could Have Had ANOTHER Baldur's Gate 3!
More industry shuffles as Hasbro lays off more staff, Ivan Van Norman leaves Darrington Press, and we get a sneak peak at a cancelled D&D video game!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:06 - Siege weapons in D&D05:02 - Hasbro layoffs07:47 - WotC cancelled video game18:45 - Ivan Van Norman departs Darrington Press26:10 - Character combat parity42:55 - Player input on adventures

Jun 18, 2025 • 57min
#194. Has D&D Taken a Dagger to the Heart?
What will Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford joining Darrington Press mean for D&D 5e? Todd Kenreck is laid off from WotC, D&D's Vice President resigns, and other industry shaking events unfold!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:52 - Todd Kenreck laid off from WotC13:29 - Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford join Darrington Press28:50 - Jess Lanzillo leaves WotC30:59 - Darrington Press' own OGL

Jun 11, 2025 • 57min
#193. WotC Tries Replacing the D&D Design Team
Wizard's of the Coast is hiring new D&D designers, but can they fill Chris Perkins or Jeremy Crawford's shoes? A new D&D video game is announced, and World of Darkness publisher White Wolf rises from the grave!Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:24 - Best question for Session 0?13:40 - WotC hiring game designers22:23 - White Wolf returns28:38 - A new D&D video game!33:53 - UK Games Expo36:05 - Balancing a TTRPG45:23 - Monstrous BBEG

Jun 4, 2025 • 58min
#192. What Does the Psion Add to D&D 2024?
A surprised Unearthed Arcana launches the Psion back into D&D! Wizards of the Coast inks an new video game publishing deal, while Baldur's Gate 3 goes Pathfinder 2e. Should TTRPG players git gud?Hunt for Monsters of Drakkenheim on D&D Beyond: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/DB4KDB0Q1Wizards of the Coast signs deal with Giant Skull: https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wizards-coast-announces-exclusive-publishing-agreement-giantEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:15 - Best TTRPG settings06:53 - The Psion Unearthed Arcana22:36 - Monsters of Drakkenheim24:56 - New WotC video game?32:17 - BG3's Pathfinder mod34:05 - Does player skill matter in a TTRPG?

May 28, 2025 • 57min
#191. Which of D&D's Biggest Rivals is for You?
We celebrate the launch of Daggerheart from Darrington Press, whilst comparing encounter design between Draw Steel, D&D, and Critical Role's new TTRPG.Click to enter the Grim Hollow Player Pack D&D Beyond giveaway: https://forms.gle/RxFKrvYyJFFKHeTa7Sign up to GM at Gen Con 2025: https://www.baldmangames.com/gencon-2025-dm-signup/Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro08:50 - Weirdest place to play TTRPGs10:16 - Daggerheart releases27:10 - GM at Gen Con 202530:16 - Building Draw Steel encounters48:59 - Improvising fun NPCs

May 21, 2025 • 1h 4min
#190. The Secrets to Running D&D With Only 1 Player!
How do 1-on-1 D&D sessions differ from a typical big party campaign? The fate of Gen Con's most infamous rogues is revealed! How can you create a gripping atmosphere at your gaming table or online?Click to enter the Lairs of Etharis D&D Beyond giveaway: https://forms.gle/kyNDnZBxGjBJA65r7Tariff Pause the Bare Minimum: https://www.wargamer.com/board-games/gloomhaven-tariff-pauseGame Publishers Brace for Shipping Price Hike: https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/05/13/board-game-publishers-brace-for-shipping-price-hike-delays-as-us-drops-tariffs-on-china-to-30-in-90-day-truce/Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:46 - 1 on 1 D&D14:52 - Gen Con heist news23:22 - Diana Jones Emerging Designers27:24 - TTRPG tariff update38:00 - Daggerheart actual play39:47 - Creating game atmosphere