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The Eldritch Lorecast

Ghostfire Gaming

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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.
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Is Sage Advice the same without Jeremy Crawford? WotC publish the latest 2024 rules update on D&D Beyond, Roll20 and Demiplane launch a cross compatibility beta, and a titan of the TTRPG industry comes to an abrupt end. Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Edi…
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The Delian Tomb is being tested by patrons, the layout for the core rules is nearing completion, and an adventure to run at conventions is in the works. Also, the dice from the crowdfunder is shipping, and Flee, Mortals! and Where Evil Lives is out on Foundry. Links to everything: https://www.goblinpoints.com/2509#links Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:42 …
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Stop your TTRPG players from sleeping through your early campaign lore dumps! We're also dissecting dragons and the SRD 5.2. Will WotC dodge tariff chaos with D&D and MtG? Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Best dragon harves…
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Does releasing the SRD 5.2 for D&D 2024 fulfill the last of the WotC promises? Can 3rd party 5e publishers finally rejoice? We ponder these questions while the Tabletop Games industry collapses around us due to tariffs. D&D Beyond changelog: https://www.dndbeyond.com/changelog#2024CoreRulesErrata TTRPG industry survey: https://cardboardedison.com/t…
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I'm joined by Ananam of Triglav Games. They are at the time of publishing this episode crowdfunding a vampire class for Draw Steel. It's an ambitious project and they've pulled out all the stops with professional art, playtesting and layout. In the interview we talk about how they're designing the vampire class, what it's like to designing classes …
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Jeremy Crawford leaves D&D and Wizards of the Coast, Daggerheart gets an early release Down Under, and how will Dragon Delves make dragons in 5e fun? Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Diana: @dianaoftherose Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - Your First GM 06:00 …
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Will Tariffs destroy the TTRPG industry? This week we roleplay economists to explore the global issue from the side of game publishers, hobby shop owners, and fans whose books are about to get a LOT more expensive! Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Teos: ⁨@Alphastream Edito…
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It's the silence before the storm. News about Draw Steel is sparse. MCDM is working on new products, but they've barely made into testing. Some more exciting news is the new third party crowdfunder that just launched, for a vampire class. And, of course, I have some highlights from the community creations. Submit questions to Ananam: https://www.pa…
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Less D&D news this week (except for WotC threatening legal action for a Baldur's Gate 3 mod) leads into listener emails about incentivizing selfish players, why GM's shouldn't be scared of math, and whether the GM or player should control the wizard's familiar? Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaec…
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Wizards of the Coast call it quits on Project Sigil, leaving the 3D VTT to mothball on D&D Beyond. Meanwhile the world gets strange as Texas lawmakers try to outlaw roleplaying in schools for entirely imaginary reasons. Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003 Rascal article about Texas roleplay bill: https:…
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I'm visited by Andie Margolskee, the author of the first crowdfunded adventure for Draw Steel: The Great Thaw of Gryzmithrak Spire. We talk about the adventure, sure, but with Andie having designed adventures for multiple systems, we end up talking a bunch about what different systems are good at. Links Website that links to Andie's previous projec…
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The D&D 3D VTT is off to a bumpy launch. MCDM quietly tinkers with it's own Draw Steel VTT. We ponder whether the Hero Forge dice are balanced while Ben and Dael argue what a Critical Role video game might (not) look like. Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregami…
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Are tariffs about me to make buying D&D and TTRPG products A LOT more expensive for US gamers? And right when a new 5e 2024 starter set could make learning the game easier than ever! What makes a good Warlock patron? Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003 BoardGameWire article: https://boardgamewire.com/in…
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MCDM is working on the core rules, the monsters, new classes and the Codex, but nothing is ready to be published yet. The community is of course ever flowing with great creations. In this episode I cover the known rule changes, the new classes and the news about the Codex. Links to everything: https://www.goblinpoints.com/2505#links Chapters: 00:00…
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WAIT! Project Sigil has launched on D&D Beyond? The Artificer is getting a new subclass? D&D 2024 is getting a new Starter Set? All that TTRPG news, and more! Email your questions to [email protected] James: @jamesjhaeck Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - THE BEST D&D miniature 04:17 - Wint…
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Big D&D news as WotC announces a Lorwyn Shadowmoor 5e setting book, another 3rd party release hits D&D Beyond, and the Monster Manual 2025 gets a second patch, and we all geek out about video games! Check out the new D&D Beyond Drakkenheim adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_NILE_2025_2_178 Email your questions to [email protected]
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In this episode I'm joined by Iron Monocle. He's a serial creator of worlds and keeps a blog about his most recent one. We talk about how game rules influence assumptions in the world, about world building as a hobby, and how players can be a fantastic source and contributors of lore and ideas in your world. Links: Blog Bluesky Ironsworn Midst Chap…
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Pathfinder introduces NPC romance and relationship rules, D&D signs a deal with Netflix for a Forgotten Realms tv series, and evil Drow could be returning to 5e 2024! Explore Jarren's Outpost here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dndnerds/jarrens-outpost Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Sha…
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The 2025 Monster Manual receives a day 1 patch, we finally address the D&D Orc controversy, Daggerheart gets a release date to revolutionize the TTRPG industry, and Ghostfire is making a boardgame! Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003 Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne …
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Amidst the Monster Manual news, Wizards of the Coast announce as new Unearthed Arcana, a new Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands, new setting guides, and a free D&D 5e adventure! Can we convince James to like Dinosaurs? Check out A Time Traveler's Guide to Dinosaur Hunting: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/splatteredink/a-time-travelers-guid…
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This is a bit of a weird one. Less than a week before the release of this episode, James basically posted what could've been the script for this episode in a post on Patreon. So in addition to news about the state of the Draw Steel core rules, and future products for Draw Steel, which was also outlined by James, I've got a bunch fantastic creations…
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Dael refuses to talk about AI Dungeon Masters and whether they give better D&D immersion. Then we debate how much descriptive text DM's should give players during a TTRPG? Leon Barillaro's article: https://barilleon.com/blog/the-liches-method-of-boxed-text-descriptions/ Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @da…
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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 [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - …
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Is the Draw Steel podcast universe going to implode? This episode, I have The Dice Society on! I really have to give him credit for taking so many of the questions without any preparation or warning, and I think he pulled it off really well. We had a great time talking and I hope you do as well when listening. Links: YouTube Bluesky Chapters: 00:00…
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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@ghostfirega…
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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 [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Edito…
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This is a shorter episode. It's weird, because in some ways not much new happened in December, but on the other hand, the biggest thing also happened in December: Draw Steel is content complete. All the rules, systems, mechanics and monsters that are supposed to be in the final game are in. Now it's time to polish. Links to everything: https://www.…
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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 [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Diana: @DianaOfTheRose Shawn: @shawnme…
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The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and the TTRPG industry with the Elly Awards! Email your questions to [email protected] 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 rel…
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In this episode I'm joined by Dojikaan. You might know him from the art that he posts in the MCDM community, I know him from the awesome time raider portrait he did a while back. In the episode we talk about art in the MCDM community, the importance of official art for a product, and how fanart self-sustains communities. Links: Dojikaan Illustratio…
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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 E…
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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:…
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Feature changes in Draw Steel is slowing down, it's mostly tweaking and balancing from here. Codex is getting some exciting features related to elevation on battle maps. The Illrigger has arrived on D&D Beyond. Trenchworx is making more MCDM minis. And we talk about Derelict. Links to everything: https://www.goblinpoints.com/2418#links Chapters: 00…
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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: …
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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:…
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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:…
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Welcome to the one year anniversary episode! It's wild to me that it's already been a year. Seems only like yesterday I recorded the 90 second trailer, and the retrospective episode about MCDM. My guest for this episode is the composer of the new theme music, Patrick Haesler. Links: YouTube Music Instagram Mini Painting Instagram Website Spotify Ba…
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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: @ja…
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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]
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The dicefunder was a brilliant success, Codex is getting more and more useful for running the game, Draw Steel is getting a lot of tweaks after reviewing the backer packet feedback, and a new patron packet dropped. The packet has tons of changes and updates. Let's jump in. Links to everything: https://www.goblinpoints.com/2416#links Chapters: 00:10…
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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 …
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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…
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This episode I have the pleasure of having Solace on. You might know their name as one of the first people to publish homebrew for Draw Steel, once the creator license dropped. What they published was actually the first published adventure made for Draw Steel. Links: First adventure: The Wrath of the Iresouls Encounter Tracker Ability cards Layout …
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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: @dailyd…
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I mentioned in last month's roundup that the flood gates of homebrew had opened with the release of the Creator License for Draw Steel. As predicted, that was only the beginning. The amount of stuff being published is almost overwhelming. There's also details about the next packet, the dicefunder and Stawl. Links to everything: https://www.goblinpo…
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We explore our favorite TTRPG settings and what makes a good campaign setting, whether the 80's D&D cartoon will ever get a revival, and can 5e be played in low magic worlds? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenB…
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Kobold Press takes a strong stance on AI in the TTRPG industry, Adventurer's League integrates D&D 2024 into its organized play, and we redesign Strahd for the modern age! Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenBy…
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This time I'm talking to Tamwin. If you've hung out in the Draw Steel channels on Discord, you've probably seen his name a lot of times. I ask him about knowing the rules seemingly by heart, reverse engineering the kit math, and his experience running tactical test scenarios. Links A Practical Guide to Evil by ErraticErrata A Practical Guide to Evi…
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Comments from Hasbro CEO ignites another discussion on AI tools in D&D, MCDM releases their creator license for Draw Steel, and we debate whether being a YouTuber helps or hinders success for TTRPG creators? Follow the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcas…
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