
The Eldritch Lorecast
Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and James Haeck bring you the latest tabletop hobby news, discussions on roleplaying game design, ideas for players and GMs, and share their passion for tabletop roleplaying games and the community!
For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com.
Latest episodes

Jul 17, 2024 • 59min
#146. Why the New D&D Monk Isn't on Dael's Spangley List...
The new D&D Monk splits the Lorecast crew, Wizards of the Coast reshuffle their staff with a notable absence, and a new streaming service strives to compete with Twitch.
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:14 - Monk 2024
27:13 - Bard 2024
30:51 - Sorcerer 2024
32:37 - Cleric 2024
35:23 - Kyle Brink leaves WOTC
38:50 - D&D stamps
41:58 - Moonbeam
52:40 - Sci fi TTRPG's

Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 2min
#145. D&D's 3D VTT is Closer Than You Think!
A pre-order bonus for the D&D 3D VTT has us wondering how close it is and how WotC plan to monetize it? Are the new dragons an upgrade from the old? Wouldn't you like to custom make your character's species?
Playtest Grim Hollow's heritage system: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2024_7_145
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:29 - Sam Riegel
07:24 - D&D 3D VTT update
20:31 - D&D Preorder bonuses
34:50 - Roll20 data leak
38:11 - 2024 Ennie nominations
41:15 - New heritage system
49:12 - Ranger core fantasy

Jul 3, 2024 • 56min
#144. The D&D 2024 Ranger is... Well... It's a Thing!
There's a lot to say about the new 5e 2024 Ranger, and... well... it's a thing! We also review the new D&D 2024 spells and try to get more players into the GM chair.
Sign up for Grim Hollow Kickstarter updates: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=3hjfbf
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
James: @JamesJHaeck
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:22 - New 5e Ranger
19:38 - New 5e Spells
27:51 - 5e Ranger redux
35:30 - Make new Game Masters
45:40 - Core systems that work

Jun 25, 2024 • 1h 3min
#143. D&D 2024 is Looking Pretty Good... well, Except That!
The Eldritch Lorecast deep dives into the D&D 2024 previews to explore backgrounds, weapon mastery, heroic advantage, subclasses, and that one missed opportunity!
Experience Grim Hollow on D&D Beyond: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2024_6_143
Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=3hjfbf
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Robert: @RobertHartleyGM
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
03:20 - Grim Hollow on D&D Beyond
10:31 - Grim Hollow Tranformed
16:46 - D&D '24 PHB preview
19:29 - Backgrounds and origins
34:50 - Major rules changes52:50 - New subclasses

Jun 19, 2024 • 56min
#142. Fans Notice D&D Beyond Differences in Vecna: Eve of Ruin!
Fans notice differences in the D&D Beyond Vecna: Eve of Ruin, Chris Cocks submits to an amazingly awkward interview, and we ponder who the average TTRPG player is?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:52 - Player's Handbook predictions
17:17 - Eve of Ruin print vs digital
23:17 - Chris Cocks interview
34:08 - Who is the average player?
41:06 - TTRPG chase scenes

Jun 12, 2024 • 57min
#141. The Influencer-fication of the TTRPG Industry
Do you need to be an Influencer to be a successful TTRPG designer? Is Roll20 buying Demiplane good for the RPG industry? Why has Dicebreaker stopped reporting on D&D? All that and more, right now...
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Monster Manual covers
04:23 - Roll20 buys Demiplane
11:40 - Dael’s Dragon Age corner
14:12 - Dicebreaker conspiracy
19:16 - Legend of Vox Machina S3
20:45 - Diana Jones Award nominees
32:24 - YouTubification of TTRPG's

Jun 5, 2024 • 59min
#140. Will the WotC Controversies Ever STOP!?
Wizards of the Coast publish a job listing for an AI Engineer, the new D&D Dungeon Master's Guide has its cover revealed, and we might have found an official name for the MCDM RPG.
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:44 - 5e DMG Covers
09:44 - WotC hiring AI Engineers
19:35 - Adam Bradford joins Fantasy Grounds
31:56 - D&D Show leaves Paramount+
34:07 - D&D's controversial history
38:01 - AC or damage threshold?

May 29, 2024 • 1h 2min
#139. Are these D&D Settings too Problematic to Return?
The hosts dissect classic D&D settings like Greyhawk and Dark Sun, weighing their relevance and cultural implications in modern gameplay. They highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in representing diverse narratives, particularly in settings like Kara Tur. The dynamic between detailed lore and narrative freedom sparks debate about game design, while the discussion also touches on the ethics of food consumption in fantasy worlds. Plus, inventive game mechanics like rubber band effects promise to keep players engaged!

May 22, 2024 • 1h
#138. Details in WotC's New Art shows D&D's Future!
New D&D art drops, showcasing the cover of the next 5e PHB. MCDM rockets onto D&D Beyond with two 3rd party titles. Vecna is revealed as the next Dead by Daylight villain.
Get 30% off at Into the AM until May 29: https://intotheam.com/GhostfireGaming
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Zac: @ZacSpeaksGiant
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - How important is art?
07:54 - New D&D Covers
24:12 - Cover & Interior Art
29:39 - New D&D rules details
40:39 - MCDM on D&D Beyond
45:01 - Vecna joins Dead by Daylight
46:44 - Ability checks you want to fail

May 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
#137. Is Critical Role Repeating Geek & Sundry's Mistakes?
Critical Role starts its own subscription service, but is this repeating Geek & Sundry's mistakes? D&D announces another video game licensing deal and makes a controversial reveal!
Sign for the Monster Hunter playtest: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2024_4_134
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:37 - Critical Role & Beacon
22:03 - Monster Hunter design stream
23:33 - Black Flag SRD
36:51 - D&D and Dead By Daylight
40:43 - D&D's greatest nontroversy
45:05 - Social rules in TTRPG's