The Eldritch Lorecast

We review more D&D 2025 Monster Manual news before musing whether a TTRPG is a game or a philosophical exercise? And should a GM force permanent changes on a player character? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - Male medusa 05:20 - Monster Manual 2025 09:22 - Player character creature types 17:07 - Does alignment ruin campaigns? 27:24 - Bankruptcy in the games industry 33:02 - Reducing D&D group size 43:00 - Character altering consequences

A MASSIVE preview of the D&D 2024 Monster Manual sparks discussions about variant stat blocks, Legendary Actions, monster type changes, and whether a monster's gender is important to your campaign? Late pledge to Grim Hollow here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=9y5qai Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:27 - Monsters from myth 08:00 - New Grim Hollow playtest 13:55 - Monster Manual 2024 22:00 - Legendary Actions return! 26:26 - How to index your monsters 33:13 - Monster type changes 36:08 - Challenge Rating fixed? 42:16 - Monster gender changes 48:72 - New monster artwork

D&D Beyond releases an Unearthed Arcana for the Artificer while Pathfinder commences the Impossible Playtest on two new classes. Meanwhile, why is that one relative asking you about Dungeons & Dragons all of a sudden? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:21 - Secret Level (spoilers) 06:05 - Artificer UA review 18:44 - Pathfinder's 'Impossible playtest' 22:48 - D&D licensing corner 30:46 - Wyrmwood layoffs 31:42 - D&D in the New York Times 43:26 - Using real myths in D&D

We start the year with a mailbag of listener questions, including whether you can play an entire D&D campaign as a familiar? How do you use 5e character abilities outside combat? How to make your gaming sessions last longer? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Diana:  @DianaOfTheRose  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:56 - Best social media platform? 05:42 - Play as a familiar? 14:43 - Class features outside combat 26:34 - Rule of Cool 29:58 - Longer session playtime 40:12 - Showing the GM's hand

The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and the TTRPG industry with the Elly Awards! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Personal yearly highlights 07:03 - Biggest news of 2024 20:42 - Best TTRPG release 30:36 - Best TTRPG related release 33:44 - Best Con of 2023 38:33 - Guests of the year 42:46 - Best Lorecast moments 48:50 - New Years resolutions

Let's talk strategies for finding compatible players for your D&D table, how to design adventures that don't cater only for certain 5e classes, and how magic shops can add to the worldbuilding of your campaign. Late Pledge to Enchanting Emporiums: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eldermancy/the-seekers-guide-to-enchanting-emporiums?ref=83s14q Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Brooks: @brookstho Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:40 - Creative strengths 14:12 - Enchanting Emporiums 22:02 - Finding compatible players 38:49 - Adventure design and player classes

Are safety tools important for your D&D game? We discuss the pros and cons of deploying the X-card during a TTRPG, and reflect on the multimedia success of Critical Role, Daggerheart, and what they're planning next! This Effin GM's video about Safety Tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dLCOgEjqE Critical Role article from Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-interview-1235188141/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:39 - Game randomizers 09:58 - Critical Role Christmas Album 12:18 - Daggerheart 24:36 - A CR videogame? 31:25 - US tariffs impacting TTRPGs 34:34 - Safety tools at the table 53:52 - Teaching TTRPG designers

The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying arrives on D&D Beyond, possibly opening the door for other "Valiant" non-D&D games? We try to solve the mystery of the Exodus tabletop game, Elon Musk hints at purchasing Hasbro, and how much should you prep your campaign before session 1? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Teos:  @AlphastreamRPG  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:37 - Thanksgiving 04:06 - LotR on D&D Beyond 23:47 - What is the Exodus RPG? 33:02 - Tabletop to video game pipeline 37:00 - Elon Musk buying Hasbro? 43:05 - How to prep before Session 1

Bob World Builder joins once more to dissect Dimension 20's explosively free TTRPG, the MCDM Illrigger class makes it to D&D Beyond, WotC continue to talk video games, and Elon Musk tells Hasbro to "burn in hell". Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:31 - One shot TTRPG's 08:32 - Dimension 20's free RPG 22:50 - Illrigger on D&D Beyond 30:07 - Hasbro's done with movies? 40:44 - Elon Musk vs WotC 47:48 - TTRPG creators on Bluesky 51:06 - False rumors in your game

Bob World Builder, a Dungeons & Dragons expert, joins to explore the intriguing Bastion system from the upcoming Dungeon Master's Guide. The conversation balances creative storytelling with gameplay mechanics, discussing how these bastions can enhance player engagement. They also delve into crafting immersive campaign worlds and the importance of narrative consequences, ensuring every player's choice matters. With playful references to Indiana Jones and community insights, the chat highlights the exciting evolution of tabletop gaming.