

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

Oct 28, 2026 • 59min
#265. Chaosium just NUKED their TTRPG Creator Content!
Chaosium just pulled more than 40 community titles over AI-generated content, so what does that mean for TTRPG creators? We also share our best tricks for prepping D&D sessions in less time, then get into Misplaced Monsters Vol. 2, Games Workshop scrapping its Necromunda RPG, Atlas Games halting shipping to the EU, and D&D themed....toilet paper?The Seeker's Guide to Dreaded Demigods is LIVE on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/the-seekers-guide-to-dreaded-demigodsEmail your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydaelTodd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro00:42 - Low Prep D&D12:04 - Chaosium Removes AI Creator Content27:10 - Misplaced Monsters Vol.229:25 - Seekers Guide to Dreaded Demigods31:06 - GW Scraps Necromunda RPG Plans36:08 - Atlas Games No Longer Shipping to the EU38:47 - D&D Toilet Paper?44:57 - D&D Wallpaper46:15 - Long Voyage Encounters

Oct 21, 2026 • 1h
#264. D&D’s Most Charming Guide Is Now Its DEADLIEST Villain
@Runesmith joins us to talk through the final book in the Seeker's series! We also get into how to actually use a campaign setting instead of letting it gather dust, building fights around deception, and whether having unique NPC minis and tokens is worth the hassle. The Seeker's Guide to Dreaded Demigods is LIVE on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/the-seekers-guide-to-dreaded-demigodsEmail your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydaelTodd: @ToddKenreck Editor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro00:35 - The Seeker’s Guide to Dreaded Demigods17:31 - WOTC Response to Unionisation19:42 - Using Campaign Settings28:36 - Increasing Player Enthusiasm35:40 - Deception Themed Fights48:58 - Unique NPC Minis/Tokens

Oct 14, 2026 • 59min
#263. Things Every D&D Table Should Be Stealing From Other Games | Eldritch Lorecast
Some of the best rules at a D&D table don't come from D&D at all. This week we dig into other games like Daggerheart and Shadowdark to find what's worth smuggling into your 5.5e game. Email your questions to [email protected]: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydaelMatt: @heyitsMattyP Adam: @RetroArchetype Editor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro00:42 - TTRPG's that make D&D better!25:30 - Kobold Press x Shadowdark28:18 - White Wolf & Renegade Games part ways34:52 - D&D workers union37:38 - D&D Star Wars39:51 - Hacks for learning new games

Oct 7, 2026 • 58min
#262. The Sorrow Knight is D&D's Most Emo Subclass Yet | Eldritch Lorecast
Jay Jani from D&D Beyond joins us to talk digital tools at the table, what goes into a monthly Drop, and the Sorrow Knight! The first full subclass to arrive through the program. We also get into Ravenloft: Project Lamordia, what Ghostfire is bringing to PAX Australia, and how to make a horror adventure scare and delight your players.Want to join Ghostfire Gaming at PAX Australia? See the Game Schedule here and book now: https://events.humanitix.com/gfg-pax-aus?ml_recipient=200315957349975649&ml_link=200315818930603626Find out more information about our Panel at PAX Australia here: https://conventions.leapevent.tech/schedules/view/943573Email your questions to [email protected]: @shawnmerwinDael: @dailydaelTodd: @ToddKenreckJay: @GPyromaniaEditor: @jberrtTopics:00:00 - Intro00:39 - Using Digital Tools in Your D&D Games07:58 - D&D Drops: October Release22:51 - Ravenloft: Project Lamordia25:11 - Ghostfire at PAX Australia26:42 - Restarting a Campaign34:10 - Running Horror Adventures49:08 - Importing 3rd Party Content on D&D Beyond

Sep 30, 2026 • 52min
#261. Is D&D Finally Nerfing Casters?
The D&D: World of Warcraft previews keep rolling in, and the new monster abilities have everyone asking whether casters are finally getting reined in. We also cover Dragonlance joining the D&D Icons line, D&D novels getting reprinted in the UK, and whether bolting rules from other games together is a 5th Edition habit or something D&D faithfuls have always done.Email your questions to [email protected]: @shawnmerwinDael: @dailydaelTodd: @ToddKenreckAdam: @retroarchetypeEditor: @jberrtTopics:00:00 - Intro07:37 - D&D World of Warcraft: Updates24:34 - Wizards of the Coast Staff Changes28:59 - D&D Icons: Dragonlance33:08 - D&D Novel Reprints in the UK38:37 - Is combining multiple systems unique to 5th Edition D&D?44:45 - Best DMing moments?

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


