The Eldritch Lorecast

Blasting through the small amount of D&D and TTRPG news, we then discuss game design through the lens of writing style, flavor text vs rules text, and how to name things. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:27 - Ghostfire's going to Gen Con 2023 12:02 - Dael’s strange experience 14:31 - Latest D&D playtest video 19:19 - Other TTRPG news 20:55 - Importance of writing style 39:16 - flavor text vs rules text 51:49 - Naming characters, monsters, places

We dive into the Aetherial Expanse to explore Ghostfire Gaming's new 5e campaign setting, get hyped for Critical Role's "Candela Obscura", and a fantastic listener email plunges us into a discussion of game design theory. Get notified when The Aetherial Expanse sets sail: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977277590/the-aetherial-expanse-setting-guide Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:54 - Druid & Paladin playtest results 04:05 - Fables is retiring 06:27 - Aetherial Expanse: Campaign Guide 26:47 - Critical Role's Candela Obscura 31:20 - 24/7 D&D streaming channel 39:17 - Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill! 43:21 - Types of play: Gamist, Narrativist, Simulationist

We celebrate the release of Misplaced Monsters for a great cause, discuss what a 3rd Party D&D Beyond marketplace would look like, and explore the multiverse! Find your Misplaced Monsters: https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace/sourcebooks/misplaced-monsters-volume-one Get updates on the Aetherial Expanse: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977277590/the-aetherial-expanse-setting-guide Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Removing an Ability Score? 09:06 - Aetherial Expanse Tease 09:53 - D&D Community Update 16:43 - D&D Beyond 3rd party marketplace 31:01 - The next creator summit 33:00 - Misplaced Monsters for Extra Life 36:48 - Jasper's Game Week (Aus Edition) 38:25 - Eberron publisher closing down 40:48 - Adventuring in a Multiverse 54:44 - GMs role in character creation

While breaking down the latest D&D 5e playtest packet, we ponder whether classes are indeed system or content? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Spell school quiz 06:53 - Are player classes system or content? 36:05 - Reviewing the D&D playtest packet 5 55:23 - Tales of the Valiant playtest packet 01:01:07 - Pathfinder 2e refresh

We decide what should be in the new 5e DMG, before gauging our hype levels for Daggerheart and Illuminated Worlds from Darrington Press! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Mike: SupergeekMike  Editor: ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro04:24 - When to call in the Pinkertons13:54 - 2024 Dungeon Masters Guide sneak peak40:49 - Word's largest D&D game44:30 - Matt Mercer's Dimension 20 campaign49:01 - Critical Role announces their own TTRPG

This week Adam Carnevale ("D&D is for Nerds") gives us his best D&D puzzle ideas, we ponder the roll out of 5.5e on D&D Beyond, and celebrate Marisha Ray's amazing throw down at Creator Clash 2. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Discover "D&D is for Nerds": https://www.sanspantsradio.com/podcasts/dd-is-for-nerds/ Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Adam: @RetroArchetype Editor: @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Naming the D&D 5e rules refresh 06:11 - Rollout of the 5e rules refresh 14:47 - Future of D&D live plays post 5.5e 20:58 - Should the GM roll every dice? 29:16 - Marisha Ray at Creator Clash 2 37:57 - TTRPGs that influence our game design 50:10 - Do puzzles suck in TTRPGs?

Teos Abadia reports from the field at the D&D Creator Summit, where tensions got a little heated as the future of 5e was revealed! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Teos: @Alphastream Editor: ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:56 - D&D Creator Summit recap 06:43 - Mismatched expectations 15:40 - D&D VTT hands on 41:31 - Tales of the Valiant 43:43 - Reviewing the ORC first draft 59:30 - D&D 5e rules revision for 2024

All the news from the D&D Direct is dissected while a Ghostfire spy feeds us information from the Digital D&D Creator Summit! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:07 - Honor Among Thieves review (No Spoilers!) 06:41 - D&D Direct 07:42 - Minecraft x D&D DLC 13:06 - Hasbro toy showcase 14:09 - MTG movie secret lair 16:00 - Neverwinter: Menzoberranzan 17:49 - Wizkid's mimic and baby owlbear 25:09 - D&D VTT discussion 47:54 - Upcoming WotC book releases

Timely as always, this week's episode predicts the D&D Direct event only hours before it goes live! We ponder what the core books of One D&D might look like, and the give advice to folks starting out as game designers. Email the podcast: podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrneDael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:56 - Pre D&D Direct predictions 14:15 - What will One D&D core books look like? 35:20 - D&D Coffee Club 41:57 - Getting started as a game designer

We scrutinize the second Project: Black Flag playtest packet from Kobold Press, finally get some insight from the One D&D survey results, and ponder how a GM can 'humble' troublesome players. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:25 - Black Flag playtest packet 2 30:14 - One D&D survey results 40:18 - Chaosium announce Basic Roleplaying Universal Game Engine 42:05 - Till the Last Gasp and competitive roleplaying 46:45 - "Humbling" players and campaign setbacks