The Eldritch Lorecast

D&D Beyond teases digital DLC for the Forgotten Realms setting books, while Nott the Brave teases town guards in the new Critical Role animated series. We also celebrate 200 episodes of this here podcast!A new Aetherial Expans adventure is coming to Kickstarter:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDaelJames: @jamesjhaeckShawn: @shawnmerwinEditor:  @ZsDante  Topics:00:00 - Intro02:52 - Forgotten Realms book reveals10:40 - D&D Beyond DLC18:01 - Stranger Things starter set24:25 - Aetherial Expanse adventure27:04 - New Critical Role animated seasons32:31 - 200th Episode quiz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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