The Eldritch Lorecast

Is it ever safe to let your D&D party argue among themselves? Should just ANY character be allowed to use Thieves Tools to pick a lock? What makes a great TTRPG open game license? We answer the tough questions on this week's episode!

Learn about Aberration: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB_2026_7_249

Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com

Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin

Editor:  @jberrt 

Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Project Hail Mary [SPOILERS!]
06.23 - Letting Sorcerers pick locks?
18:41 - Ennie Awards nominations
22:45 - A Grim Hollow board game!
25:09 - D&D Fan Expo postponed
27:58 - Zweihänder game license
31:16 - Creating party conflict
48:51 - Stop being bored in combat!

We're sharing HORROR stories from our early days GM'ing for D&D or other TTRPG's, giving tips on how to improve as a game master, and digging deeper into Vampire: The Masquerade on D&D Beyond.

Pre-order Vampire: The Masquerade - Bound by Blood: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/4IQF87I?pid=DB4IQF87I

Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com

Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd:  @ToddKenreck 
Shawn: @shawnmerwin

Editor:  @jberrt 

Topics:
00:00 - GM Horror Stories!
08:27 - Lorecast SURPRISE interview?
10:53 - Arcana Unleashed subclasses
14:45 - Free RPG Day
17:51 - Diana Jones Award nominees
20:38 - First WotC workers union
21:34 - V:tM Bound by Blood
29:21 - Easy GM mistakes?
38:56 - Level up your GM'ing
50:51 - Player consequences

HUGE News this week with Vampire: the Masquerade landing on D&D Beyond while WotC reveals more of how Unearthed Arcana 5.5e playtesting works. Jennifer Kretchmer joins us to talk TTRPG accessibility, educating the next generation of game designers, and what playing a Paladin truly means!

Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com

Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: ‪ ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩ 
Jen: @dreamwisp

Editor: ‪ @jberrt 

Topics:
00:00 - Intro
18:29 - VtM: Bound by Blood
26:04 - UA and WotC transparency
47:49 - D&D rules reference cards
49:49 - Why the Paladin hate?

Joined this week by special guest Logan, we question whether the FATE TTRPG is dying, chonky dragons in chonkier dice, Hasbro IP's coming to D&D 5.5e and how to survive your first Convention in style!

Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com

Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: ‪@ToddKenreck‬
Logan:  @Runesmith 

Editor: ‪ @jberrt 

Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:03 - The End of Fate?
10:04 - Themberchaud D20 Chonk
14:55 - Toy franchises in 5.5e?
20:35 - Legends of Greyhawk on D&D Beyond
25:25 - Advice for Your First Convention
32:46 - Large Scale Battles in D&D
42:59 - 3rd Party Spells

Is WotC listening to the community with the changes to D&D Beyond Drops? We meet the members of the D&D Advisory Group, Hasbro starts up an AI company, and Paizo are forced to make some difficult choices.

Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244

Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com

Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd:  @ToddKenreck 
Shawn: @shawnmerwin

Editor:  @jberrt 

Topics:
00:00 - What is Homebrew?
09:08 - D&D Beyond Drops update
13:31 - D&D Advisory Group
19:14 - New D&D book and Baldur’s Gate 2?
27:58 - Hasbro AI studio
32:50 - Paizo layoffs
35:55 - Neon Odyssey breaks records
45:24 - John Blanche
46:42 - Digital dice themes