

The Eldritch Lorecast
Ghostfire Gaming
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.
For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 23, 2026 • 56min
#260. Should D&D Fans Be Worried About Universes Beyond?
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: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/the-seekers-guide-to-dreaded-demigods Email your questions to [email protected]: @shawnmerwinDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreckLogan: @RunesmithEditor: @jberrtTopics:Intro - 00:0005:22 - D&D: World of Warcraft Preorders 11:29 - Impact of Universes Beyond on D&D?20:04 - The Seeker’s Guide to Dreaded Demigods29:49 - Martial vs Caster Support37:15 - Systems for Non Combat Gameplay?45:44 - Hexcrawls

Sep 16, 2026 • 51min
#259. D&D Has Gone Off the Deep End With Playable Kuo-toa...
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 24 HOURS : https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935Email your questions to [email protected]: @jbertart Dael: @dailydael Jordy: @Arlentric Editor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro/ DnD Character Deaths07:22 - Starlight Event Recap14:22 - Unearthed Arcana: Underdark Pt.218:16 - CONTENT WARNING: ARACHNOPHOBIA!! 23:31 - Aberration: Oblivion’s Embrace - FINAL 24 HOURS!25:30 - Home TTRPG Games30:37 - Running Large Dungeons38:51 - Frankensteining Systems?

Sep 9, 2026 • 1h 2min
#258. Wake Up Babe, a New D&D TV Show Announced!
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_935Email your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro01:17 - Ravenloft coming to Netflix13:57 - Every announced D&D TV show17:13 - Remembering Honor Among Thieves23:29 - Castle Ravenloft board game 2e25:15 - Paizo still in trouble?29:30 - Encouraging player feedback44:30 - Bounded hit points?

Sep 2, 2026 • 53min
#257. Reacting to the Warlock Trailer and D&D's Digital Future!
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_935Email your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydaelTodd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro04:19 - Warlock video game14:35 - Long Rest Tavern game19:11 - Exodus (& octobot!)25:13 - Aberration26:40 - The Odyssey as a D&D adventure?41:57 - High Level Adventures

Aug 26, 2026 • 58min
#256. D&D Now Lets You Play as a Mind Flayer... (which SHOULD be a Bad Thing, Right?)
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_935Email your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro01:28 - UA: Mind Flayer Transformation26:18 - Aberration board game30:53 - UA: Underdark subclasses54:33 - Ravenloft D20 Popcorn Bucket

Aug 19, 2026 • 1h 1min
#255. Does EVERY TTRPG Have to be a Video Game, Now?
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 [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro01:12 - Best TTRPG video games08:57 - Free League Unbound17:51 - Paizo's got money troubles23:10 - Rowan, Rook & Decard unionize24:08 - D&D Beyond disgusting Drops26:16 - Using curiosity to craft campaigns39:14 - Noticing interactive objects48:59 - Sparking player curiosity

Aug 12, 2026 • 55min
#254. Is D&D is About to Drown...?
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_935Email your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Gen Con Recap08:57 - Gen Con breaks records!10:11 - D&D keynote recap13:37 - World of Warcraft16:37 - Is D&D flooding the market?28:20 - D&D Beyond updates32:01 - Aberration34:18 - Ghostfire Gaming x Ravenloft37:23 - Daggerheart & V:TM V642:35 - ANOTHER new OGL

Aug 5, 2026 • 41min
#253. How D&D SLAYED Gen Con to Remain the #1 TTRPG
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-tableEmail your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneJoey: @JamesJHaeck Justice: @justiceraminarmanFoster: @TheatreOfTheUnaligned Editor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Gen Con 202613:50 - D&D Icons22:14 - Uh oh, A Tornado22:46 - GeeknSon24:01 - Dark Sun28:08 - Star Wars30:41 - World of Warcraft

Jul 29, 2026 • 57min
#252. The Deadliest Challenge Your D&D Party can Face!
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 [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro03:42 - The "Anti-Party"16:41 - Gen Con events19:28 - Warlock players MUST roleplay37:14 - Is 5.5e crafting broken?46:58 - Is a monster book a setting guide?

Jul 22, 2026 • 52min
#251. Is D&D Abandoning the Adventurer's League?
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-dndEmail your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Using a DM Screen?07:45 - D&D Encounters S216:53 - Finding a TTRPG group21:19 - Starlight D&D Epic23:35 - Ghostfire at Gen Con25:09 - Paizo revoke license41:06 - Best social mechanics


