The Eldritch Lorecast

Ghostfire Gaming

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.

  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    #168. How to Find Compatible Players for Your D&D Table?

    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 [email protected]


    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

    18 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 58 minutes 50 seconds
    #167. An Honest Discussion about D&D Safety Tools

    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 [email protected]


    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

    11 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 43 seconds
    #166. D&D Beyond Publishes a Non-DnD Game!

    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 [email protected]


    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

    4 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 37 seconds
    #165. Dimension 20's EXPLOSIVE New TTRPG has Problems...

    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 [email protected]


    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

    28 November 2024, 1:03 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    #164. Bastions Are Good, Actually? Here's Why!

    Bob World Builder joins the crew to briefly review the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, Ben gushes about the Bastion system, Shawn still wants less world building, and Dael idolizes Indiana Jones!


    Email your questions to [email protected]


    Ben: @TheBenByrne

    Dael: @dailydael

    Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder 

    Shawn: @shawnmerwin


    Editor:  @ZsDante 


    Topics:

    00:00 - Intro

    01:30 - D&D's mascot

    05:39 - #3 podcast in the realms

    07:16 - D&D DMG 2024

    15:36 - Bastions are cool?

    33:08 - Lorecast in December

    35:46 - Creating living worlds

    49:00 - Avoiding no-fun consequences

    1:00:00 - TTRPG YouTube back to basics

    20 November 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 18 seconds
    #163. How Much D&D Prep is Too Much, and Why It’s Never Enough!

    Where should you focus your DM prep when planning a D&D campaign? Will Bastions be included in future 5e adventure modules? Is AI art infiltrating boardgames? All that and more, right now!


    BoardGameWire article: https://tinyurl.com/BoardGameWireArticle


    Email your questions to [email protected]


    Ben: @TheBenByrne

    Dael: @dailydael

    James: @jamesjhaeck

    Shawn: @shawnmerwin


    Editor:  @ZsDante 


    Topics:

    00:00 - Intro01:51 - Infinite GM prep time?

    09:02 - How much is too much prep?

    18:22 - AI art in the boardgames

    34:45 - Tabletop games jobs fair

    37:44 - Steamforged Games partnerships

    39:49 - Well wishes Darryl Mott

    40:31 - Bastions in adventure modules?

    50:21 - Is the DMG Essential?

    13 November 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 56 minutes 10 seconds
    #162. MASSIVE D&D Monster Changes Hinted on D&D Beyond!

    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 [email protected]


    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

    6 November 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #161. MASSIVE Shakeups at Hasbro Change D&D's Future!

    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 [email protected]


    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

    30 October 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 51 minutes 51 seconds
    #160. What's So Great About the D&D 2024 DMG?

    LIVE from Gamehole Con, the Eldritch Lorecast peaks inside the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide with LaTia Jacquise. It's a whole Dungeon Master toolbox filled with chase rules, the entire Greyhawk setting, and... doors?


    Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv


    Email your questions to [email protected]


    Ben: @TheBenByrne

    Joe: @_Joe_Raso

    LaTia: @latiajacquise

    Shawn: @shawnmerwin


    Editor:  @ZsDante


    Topics:

    00:00 - Intro

    01:03 - Gamehole Con

    08:12 - 2024 DMG

    16:04 - Greyhawk setting

    21:38 - D&D movie sequel?

    27:14 - Losing animal companions

    35:44 - Hobby vs profession

    46:37 - Player red flags

    23 October 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #159. How YouTube Destroys the Mental Health of Creators

    Live from PAX Aus, the Eldritch Lorecast hosts a discussion about the toll YouTube takes on the mental health of D&D and Tabletop creators.


    Email your questions to [email protected]


    Ben:  @GhostfireGaming 

    Trent:  @Miscast 

    Luna:  @Luboffin 

    Dave:  @TabletopTime 

    Dael:  @MonarchsFactory 


    __

    Editor:  @ZsDante 

    16 October 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 29 seconds
    #158. Are Bastions Better than Strongholds & Followers?

    After a quick convo about community etiquette and making the internet safer, we dive into the D&D 2024 DMG update and which Bastion system is right for you?


    Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv


    Email your questions to [email protected]


    Ben: @TheBenByrne

    Dael: @dailydael

    James: @jamesjhaeck

    Shawn: @shawnmerwin

    Editor:  @ZsDante


    Topics:

    00:00 - Intro

    01:01 - Staying current with editions

    06:53 - Convention news

    12:46 - MTG Commander community

    23:23 - DMG 2024 preview

    41:07 - Low magic in 5e

    9 October 2024, 2:00 pm
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