The Eldritch Lorecast

This week we take a break from the D&D news to answer YOUR questions about TTRPGs, 3rd party publishing, game mechanics and power rangers! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Our named wizards spells 04:37 - Our power ranger colors! 06:11 - Hopes for the next 100 episodes 07:32 - Balancing companion NPCs 13:38 - Art inspiration for RPGs 21:28 - Future of 3rd party publishing 26:05 - Best idea you've never run 32:12 - Indie mechanics for D&D 37:14 - What's your favorite color? 39:50 - TTRPG industry networking 43:45 - Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood? 45:48 - What are witches hats? 46:37 - A house rule you can't live without 49:54 - When does 5e become a new game? 53:00 - Names the Lorecast almost had

D&D Beyond publishes it's first 3rd party supplement, Tal'Dorei Reborn from Darrington Press. We also review Glory of the Giants, and decide when it's okay to give players meta knowledge to make in game choices. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:59 - D&D Beyond publishing 3rd parties 22:32 - Dael's giant sized adventure 25:02 - Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants 36:00 - Giving players meta knowledge 49:42 - Class design discussion 57:11 - Oath breakers in 5e

We're diving into the design of Daggerheart from Darrington Press, and just how different it is from D&D 5e. We also announce a new board game, discuss the Playtest 5 survey results, and discover why not everyone's happy with Baldur's Gate 3's success. Discover more about Aberration: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ABB_2023_7_098 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:18 - Baldur's Gate 3 16:13 - Aberration: The Board Game 19:06 - D&D playtest 5 survey results 26:26 - Daggerheart preview 49:19 - Dropout back in production 50:45 - How to network at conventions

Live from Gen Con 2023 we discuss AI art infiltrating the TTRPG industry, events from the convention show floor, US pub culture vs Australian, and celebrate industry award winners. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Anthony: @AJoyce_Rivera Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Gen Con 2023 17:14 - USA vs Australia 24:33 - Diana Jones award 26:12 - AI art in Bigby's giants book 39:49 - The Ennies 46:31 - Dnd rules update... update 51:21 - Meta currencies in games

This week we dive into the mailbag to answer your D&D and TTRPG questions, including whether the Kickstarter hype cycle is killing the TTRPG industry, and whether there's a solution to challenge ratings! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:38 - American vs Aussie slang 18:41 - Gen Con 2023 20:12 - Creating a TTRPG moment with music 28:09 - A solution to Challenge Ratings 36:23 - Is Eberron dark fantasy? 44:30 - Is Kickstarter good for the TTRPG industry?

Lots of sneak peaks this week: Matt Colville reveals design goals for the MCDM roleplaying game, Wizards of the Coast preview Planescape, and Candela Obscura announces Chapter 2! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Best incorporeal undead? 09:52 - Planescape sneak peak 22:23 - MCDM’s new game 39:45 - SAG-AFTRA & live plays 51:59 - Candela Obscura Chapter 2 54:41 - Why spell points suck

This week's Eldritch Lorecast asks the big question! Which giant is best giant? Why are psionics largely absent from D&D 5e? Is Gandalf a paladin!? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Which Giant is best? 06:39 - Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants 17:01 - Mirrorscape's augmented reality 24:06 - Best one shot modules 35:44 - Class narrative archetypes 51:39 - Is Gandalf a paladin? 54:49 - Psyonics in 5e

This episode includes Baldur's Gate 3, D&D romances, and a bear! We also congratulate the Ennie Award nominees, and Smosh (finally) starts their live play game. Check out the Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:22 - Aetherial Expanse leaving Kickstarter 05:51 - Ennie Award Nominations 13:04 - Romancing a Bear 16:53 - Baldur's Gate 3 Updates 21:24 - Smosh D&D Stream 33:18 - Breaking class stereotypes

The latest Unearthed Arcana drops another 5e playtest packet, prompting more conversation about D&D's goals as a game. We also give a few opinions on the latest changes. Discover 'Arora: Age of Desolation' with new 5e exploration mechanics: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AR01_2023_7_092 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:28 - The ORC License 04:51 - D&D Playtest Packet 6 15:35 - Too much player success? 29:15 - Exhaustion & storytelling currency 39:56 - Capstones & Bards 42:00 - Druids & Monks 48:36 - Valiant playtest packet 49:25 - Changes to spell learning

Shawn Merwin, Dael Kingsmill and James Haeck hosts this episode discussing the Tales of the Valiant, how to get noticed if you plan to publish your own adventure/TTRPGs and other listener emails with our honoured guest Scott Fitzgeralt Gray! Check out Aetherial Expanse: Setting Guide https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AESG_2023_6_089 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Shawn: @shawnmerwin Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Scott: @scottfgray Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Things people dont know about you 05:56 - Tales of the Valiant smashed it! 10:29 - A perfectly delivered advert 11:58 - Importance of symmetry in game design 27:21 - How will the next 10 years look like? 37:23 - Multiclassing still relevant!? 47:57 - The best way to get your work noticed