

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

Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 5min
#216. Why are D&D Shows So Hard to Make? (and rarely good!)
The Mighty Nein animated show gets pulled from YouTube ahead of it's Amazon release! The D&D Netflix series could be in trouble, and is there a difference between game crunch and 'control', and which camp do 5e, Daggerheart or Draw Steel fall into?Transform your wardrobe at the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:08 - Too many stat blocks?08:17 - Mighty Nein animated series12:11 - D&D Netflix22:01 - Forgotten Realms books delay23:10 - D&D Nexus rebrand29:30 - Kickstarter strike ends31:08 - Ghostfire Gaming merch33:30 - rules crunch & control49:18 - System agnostic adventures

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 1min
#215. TTRPG Fans DIVIDED by Hero Forge Pricing Controversy!
Hero Forge divides fans with a licensing agreement, the Fantasy Grounds VTT goes Free-to-Play, and should D&D bring Prestige Classes back to 5e 2024?Check out the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro00:23 - Evil player-characters08:40 - Dark Sun?11:03 - Moonbeam wanes19:43 - Hero Forge controversy!37:48 - Fantasy Grounds goes FTP42:36 - Prestige classes in 5e 2024

Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
#214. Fear Reigns in Daggerheart's First Adventure Module!
Daggerheart launches its first adventure module Kickstarter set in the eldritch city of Drakkenheim! The Blood Hunter also finds its way into Daggerheart while D&D revives Xanathar's subclasses through Unearthed Arcana.Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:08 - Min/Maxing combos06:32 - Daggerheart's first adventure16:43 - Blood Hunter in Daggerheart21:38 - Unearth Arcana: Subclasses38:17 - D&D's new T&C's45:32 - Tariff relief?46:42 - Making Con adventures fun

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
#213. D&D 5e has a New OFFICIAL VTT!
Sigil has failed its final death save! Is D&D Beyond Maps a good enough replacement? Dragonlance gets resurrected, 5e 2024 could be the most successful edition yet, and what level should you start your campaign?Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro02:20 - Games of paranoia05:27 - Critical Role goes mainstreamer09:03 - Daylight savings09:47 - Sigil laid to rest15:09 - Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart17:32 - Dragonlance returns?26:34 - 5e 2024 is D&D's fastest seller30:56 - Best D&D starting level?48:39 - Narrative leveling

Oct 22, 2025 • 57min
#212. D&D's NEW Way to Cast Spells Together!
D&D 5e makes magic a group activity with new Circle Casting, Critical Role pushes actual play further as a performance art, and we debate whether a TTRPG is a Shared Story or an Interactive Narrative.Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro03:17 - D&D's new circle casting14:10 - Critical Role pushes the industry23:48 - Passing of Rob Wieland24:33 - Tariff warning25:49 - Shared storytelling vs Interactive narrative

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 12min
#211. DON'T Start Your D&D Liveplay Without Knowing This!
How is a D&D Liveplay different from your home game? Diana Fay and Adam Carnevale help explain what makes a TTRPG Liveplay good! Also, should you tinker with 5e monster rules? How do you play test your own homebrew? Do we need to evacuate?Check out 'Elder Gods And Dragons' & Scryglass Studio: https://www.egnd.com.au/Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelAdam: @RetroArchetypeDiana: @DianaOfTheRose Editor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:05 - DON'T start a liveplay10:34 - Scryglass Studio11:15 - PAX Aus recap17:03 - Critical Role cartoon updates22:00 - Players surprising GM's29:31 - Should you homebrew monsters?38:01 - Evacuation!42:44 - How to playtest homebrew58:51 - Changing D&D's cosmology

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 7min
#210. Is Daggerheart Pulling 3rd Party Publishers from D&D?
Darrington Press attracts HUGE 3rd party talent like the Dungeon Dudes, who announce Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart. The Mighty Nein on Amazon gets a launch date, WotC want MOAR D&D video games, and a new 5e 2024 Psion drops in Unearthed Arcana.Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210Sign up to play at PAX Aus: https://ghostfiregaming.odoo.com/eventsEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneJames: @jamesjhaeckMonty: @montycmartinKelly: @kaiinreallifeEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro01:18 - Writing TTRPG worlds10:56 - Daggerheart in Drakkenheim!27:00 - Mighty Nein launch date38:57 - PAX Aus & Gamehole Con41:12 - MORE D&D video games43:00 - Kickstarter United strike44:32 - Unearthed Arcana: Psion

Oct 6, 2025 • 55min
#209. Why the Hellfire Club is for EXPERIENCED D&D Players Only!
Do the Fey of Lorwyn fit into the Forgotten Realms? Is there a better MtG crossover for 5e 2024? The Grim Hollow Campaign Guide erupts onto D&D Beyond, Stranger Things gets a new box set, and we ponder what power is in a True Name?Get the Grim Hollow Campaign Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comDael: @DailyDaelShawn: @shawnmerwinLaTia: @latiajacquiseAdam: @retroarchetypeEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro02:04 - Dream MtG crossovers09:29 - Lorwyn First Light24:52 - Grim Hollow Campaign Guide32:42 - D&D Beyond updates38:19 - D&D Starter Set42:44 - Stranger Things Box Set46:26 - True Names of the fey

Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 3min
#208. D&D Has an Unearthed Arcana Problem!
Is Unearthed Arcana becoming a problem for WotC? Has 5e 2024 finally gotten the Arcane Archer right? Which D&D edition is the most expensive? What are your thoughts on homebrew?RACE to get Torque Borg by clicking THIS LINK! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977140613/torque-borg-a-wasteland-rpg?ref=1fwvx3Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Reasons to play TTRPG's06:29 - Unearthed Arcana (again!)18:19 - Torque Borg22:48 - Most expensive D&D edition?33:04 - TTRPG in the EU retail market39:57 - Thoughts on homebrew?

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
#207. Is the New D&D Starter Set the BEST Way to Learn to Play?
What are the best adventures for introducing new players to D&D 5e? Does the new Starter Set, Heroes of the Borderlands, truly have it all?UNLOCK the Dark Fantasy Construction Kit from Arkenforge: https://bit.ly/DarkenforgeEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @ZsDante Topics:00:00 - Intro07:34 - D&D's new Starter Set17:45 - Dark fantasy construction kit21:32 - Witcher Watch23:26 - Do evil gods matter?40:58 - Should GMs help players?48:28 - Breaking in as a freelancer


