The Eldritch Lorecast

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.

Dive into the balance of preparation and improvisation in D&D campaigns. Discover how much prep is too much and the importance of well-crafted villains. Explore the rising influence of AI art in tabletop gaming and its ethical implications. Tune in for insights on new job opportunities in the industry and discussions about the integration of the Bastion system in adventures. Plus, uncover the upcoming challenges and changes in D&D rules, making the game more accessible for newcomers!

A torrent of TTRPG news hits, including 5e 2024 monsters previewed on D&D Beyond, Critical Role touring the globe, DriveThruRPG increasing AI browsing features, and a new Ravenloft novel! Late Pledge Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Videogames into TTRPGs 07:55 - D&D Funko pop 09:32 - D&D Beyond oopsie 12:51 - DriveThruRPG filters AI 18:40 - Critical Role global tour 31:51 - New Ravenloft novel 37:30 - 5e '24 monster changes 43:42 - Character red flags

Hasbro changes its corporate structure which leads to layoffs, new jobs, and a new future for D&D 5e. We also discuss which TTRPG will make you a better GM, and celebrate our Lorecast Halloween tradition! FINAL DAYS to back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Halloween costumes! 02:26 - Grim Hollow KS ending 06:40 - New DM Screen 16:49 - Hasbro corporate restructure 31:13 - Chris Perkins new job 37:02 - October recap 44:47 - Games that teach GMing