
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

Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 4min
#116. Was 2023 the Best or Worst Year for TTRPG's?
We celebrate a massive year for D&D the Tabletop Roleplaying Game industry as a whole! The ups, the downs, and everything in between.
Final hours to back Enchanting Emporiums on Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
08:12 - Biggest news of 2023
18:32 - Best TTRPG release
30:01 - Best TTRPG related release
40:04 - Best Con of 2023
47:43 - Guests of the year
52:16 - Best ELC moments

Dec 13, 2023 • 59min
#115. Could The MCDM RPG Launch be Any More Wild?
After being blown away by The MCDM RPG day 1 success, the team review the 50 Years of D&D panel and all the 5e books set for release in 2024.
Support the Enchanting Emporium's Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - Most spent on crowdfunding
08:29 - The MCDM RPG
25:21 - 50 Years Of D&D panel
27:55 - Gaming at Conventions
37:43 - Quests from the Infinite Staircase
39:11 - Vecna - Eve of Ruin
41:23 - 2024 PHB & Monster Manual
48:56 - The Game Awards
55:24 - Hasbro Layoffs

Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 7min
#114. D&D Beyond Unleashes Surprise 3rd Party 5e Content!
Ghostfire Gaming arrives on D&D Beyond with Lairs of Etharis and Dungeons of Drakkenheim, the first 3rd party 5e content after Critical Role. We also take time to answer listener emails.
Get Lairs of Etharis on D&D Beyond:
https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHMG_2023_12_114
Support the Enchanting Emporium's Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @JamesJHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Creating monster lairs
07:58 - Lairs of Etharis on D&D Beyond
18:00 - Describing fantasy worlds
30:20 - Keeping campaigns going
37:45 - Dragons in Grim Hollow?

Nov 29, 2023 • 60min
#113. Mo' Monk, Mo' Problems - Stunning Strike is Broken!
Reviewing the new D&D Unearthed Arcana playtest packet 8 leads to pondering whether 5e still needs resource management and if it's better for a monk's foe to succeed against Stunning Strike?
Follow the Enchanting Emporium's Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjHaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:33 - Thanksgiving
04:29 - Ghostfire at PAX Unplugged
11:00 - WotC PAX Panel
13:27 - Unearthed Arcana
36:46 - D&D Movie Sequel?
40:26 - Peril in Pinebrook
47:09 - Pathfinder Core changes
56:25 - Enchanting Emporiums

Nov 22, 2023 • 1h 6min
#112. STOP Making Boring D&D Shopping Sessions!
This week we deep dive into 'The Seeker's Guide to Enchanting Emporiums', and why the latest 5e release 'Peril in Pinebrook' isn't for D&D players! We also discuss the application of crafting in your TTRPG campaign.
Follow the Enchanting Emporium's Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Logan: @the_Runesmith
Editor: @ZsDante
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Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:55 - Favorite magic items
08:14 - Enchanting Emporiums
33:43 - Peril in Pinebrook
40:27 - Deck of Many Things update
42:19 - The TTRPG acronym
47:31 - Magic item crafting

Nov 15, 2023 • 1h 9min
#111. Why the Brawler Got KO'd from the D&D Playtest!
Dael and Ben argue whether the D&D Brawler should be a Fighter or a Monk subclass. We review the updates to D&D Beyond Maps, celebrate the release of Candela Obscura, and ponder how to fight god.
Follow the Enchanting Emporium's Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2023_11_109
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:40 - D&D Playtest packet 7
21:24 - D&D Beyond Maps
23:49 - Maps vs the 3D VTT
29:52 - AI DMing
36:10 - Candela Obscura Nexus
38:37 - Sourcebook vs adventure module
55:35 - How to fight god

Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 4min
#110. Why is EVERYONE Talking About This D&D Adventure?
Dive into the enchanting world of Dungeons & Dragons as the hosts explore the allure of magic item shops and their impact on gameplay. Discover the excitement behind Ghostfire Gaming's new adventures, particularly the Chains of Asmodeus, capturing everyone's attention. Get hints about the future of D&D with insights on the upcoming 2024 rulebooks and an innovative streaming service that promises constant engagement for fans. Uncover the unique adventures that await in various realms and the vibrant community supporting these new tales!

Nov 1, 2023 • 59min
#109. D&D's Beautiful Catastrophe!
Wizards of the Coast delays the D&D Deck of Many Things, MCDM announces their RPG Backerkit launch, and Kobold Press releases the Black Flag SRD. Meanwhile, nobody is impressed by Critical Role!?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:50 - Deck of Many Things delayed
15:30 - WotC increased revenue
20:32 - D&D arriving to schools
23:58 - MCDM RPG launch date
25:25 - Black Flag SRD
39:41 - Critical Role news roundup
45:22 - Why PC's never die anymore

Oct 25, 2023 • 54min
#108. Planescape's Surprise Update & Pathfinder's Dilemma!
Shawn reports back from Gamehole Con on the MCDM RPG, D&D Beyond launches Day 1 DLC for Planescape, the Candela Obscura draws near, and Paizo hikes its Pathfinder prices! All that Tabletop News, and more to come!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
03:32 - Gamehole Con
07:59 - MCDM RPG round 2
19:21 - Tabletop News launches
26:46 - Candela Obscura and horror RPGs
37:27 - Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary
49:45 - Paizo price hike

Oct 18, 2023 • 59min
#107. Why is D&D Returning to Magazines and Print Media?
This week D&D returns to magazine shelves with Dungeons & Dragons Adventurer, new iconic D&D characters are possibly teased, and we return to our discussion social encounter game mechanics to decide how much crunch is the right amount.
Aberration on Gamefound: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB_2023_10_107
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Adam: @RetroArchetype
Editor: ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
03:49 - New D&D Iconic Characters
12:20 - DriveThruRPG Update
18:45 - D&D Adventurer magazine
28:16 - Aberration last 48hrs
30:06 - Social encounter crunch?
42:57 - Casting spells in front of NPC’s
54:50 - New D&D celebrity liveplay