The Eldritch Lorecast

Netflix announces a Ravenloft TV series, but who should play D&D's most notorious villain, Strahd von Zarovich? We fondly remember the D&D movie, recap every announced (and cancelled) D&D TV show, and ponder whether 5.5e should have bounded Hit Points? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - Ravenloft coming to Netflix 13:57 - Every announced D&D TV show 17:13 - Remembering Honor Among Thieves 23:29 - Castle Ravenloft board game 2e 25:15 - Paizo still in trouble? 29:30 - Encouraging player feedback 44:30 - Bounded hit points?

Gameplay footage from Warlock gets a HUGE reaction, and D&D drops ANOTHER surprise video game trailer! Meanwhile, we ponder whether a 5.5e adventure could ever feel like The Odyssey? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩ Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:19 - Warlock video game 14:35 - Long Rest Tavern game 19:11 - Exodus (& octobot!) 25:13 - Aberration 26:40 - The Odyssey as a D&D adventure? 41:57 - High Level Adventures

The latest D&D Unearthed Arcana lets your 5.5e character "transform" into a Mind Flayer! But shouldn't turning into a monster be a bad thing? Back Aberration NOW: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - UA: Mind Flayer Transformation 26:18 - Aberration board game 30:53 - UA: Underdark subclasses 54:33 - Ravenloft D20 Popcorn Bucket

Digital platforms like D&D Beyond continue to infiltrate the TTRPG industry with the release of Free League Unbound! Could Paizo recover from their money troubles? And what's the secret to ensuring your D&D Players are always having fun? Learn how to use their curiosity against them! Noclip⁩ documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAv0LYLQi5c&tEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Best TTRPG video games 08:57 - Free League Unbound 17:51 - Paizo's got money troubles 23:10 - Rowan, Rook & Decard unionize 24:08 - D&D Beyond disgusting Drops 26:16 - Using curiosity to craft campaigns 39:14 - Noticing interactive objects 48:59 - Sparking player curiosity

An UNPRECEDENTED amount of D&D news fell out of Gen Con, including Icons, Dark Sun, and even Universes Beyond setting up a massive number of new D&D products! Follow Aberration here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB2_2026_8_935 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Gen Con Recap 08:57 - Gen Con breaks records! 10:11 - D&D keynote recap 13:37 - World of Warcraft 16:37 - Is D&D flooding the market? 28:20 - D&D Beyond updates 32:01 - Aberration 34:18 - Ghostfire Gaming x Ravenloft 37:23 - Daggerheart & V:TM V6 42:35 - ANOTHER new OGL

SO MUCH D&D news exploded at Gen Con, including Icons, Dark Sun, Greyhawk, and the Universes Beyond projects: World of Warcraft and Star Wars... we barely had time to cover it all while sheltering from a tornado! GeeknSon gaming tables: https://geeknson.com/pages/game-room-gaming-table Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Joey: @JamesJHaeck Justice: @justiceraminarman Foster: @TheatreOfTheUnaligned Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Gen Con 2026 13:50 - D&D Icons 22:14 - Uh oh, A Tornado 22:46 - GeeknSon 24:01 - Dark Sun 28:08 - Star Wars 30:41 - World of Warcraft

What's more dangerous in D&D than a monster? The party! So give your players a taste of their own medicine with the "Anti-Party" method. Also, should roleplaying be MANDATORY for a Warlock player? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:42 - The "Anti-Party" 16:41 - Gen Con events 19:28 - Warlock players MUST roleplay 37:14 - Is 5.5e crafting broken? 46:58 - Is a monster book a setting guide?

Are D&D Encounters replacing the Adventurer's League? Meanwhile, Paizo revokes its Pathfinder and Starfinder license from Archives of Nethys and we decide the best social encounter rules. Book your seat for the Starlight D&D Epic: https://events.humanitix.com/starlight-dnd Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Using a DM Screen? 07:45 - D&D Encounters S2 16:53 - Finding a TTRPG group 21:19 - Starlight D&D Epic 23:35 - Ghostfire at Gen Con 25:09 - Paizo revoke license 41:06 - Best social mechanics

WotC announces a STAGGERING number of D&D events for Gen Con, which could change the future of 5.5e forever! Daggerheart releases new playtests for the Summoner and Blood Hunter, while Chaosium Vote Grim Hollow for Best Setting at the ENNIES: https://vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2026/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Hiding Ability Check DC's 14:16 - The D&D TOWER!! 29:35 - Ennie Awards voting 30:47 - D&D Season of Magic 39:15 - Daggerheart playtests 45:50 - Chaosium vs AI 49:19 - Invasion of the Doppelgängers?

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

Grim Hollow 5.5e FINALLY brings horror and grimdark adventures to D&D! Meanwhile D&D Beyond makes good on another promise, and we gear up to celebrate the International Day of Play! Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244 Start your Adventures in Etharis here:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_243 Learn more about the UNICEF Day of Play:https://www.unicef.org/parenting/day-of-play Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 06:54 - Grim Hollow 5.5e is HERE! 13:56 - Gen Con D&D events 18:50 - International Day of Play 22:22 - D&D Beyond Journals 27:07 - Political intrigue adventures 49:01 - 3rd party D&D starter sets

A D&D game is cancelled and details about a new horror TTRPG from the makers of Pathfinder and Starfinder! Meanwhile, are you a Gamist, Narrativist, or Simulationist gamer? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:46 - Paizo’s horror TTRPG 23:09 - D&D game cancelled 28:20 - GNS game theory 35:43 - Weaving Character Backstories

D&D 5e is accused of being 'artistically hollow' by one of tabletop gaming's biggest influencers, alongside Pathfinder, Draw Steel, and Daggerheart. So we explore if that's true? Quinns Quest review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA Saga of the Seasons 5e Adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2026_5_242 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 05:04 - Gen Con events 07:39 - Quinns vs D&D 26:15 - Are Optimizers truly the villains? 40:20 - Stories vs Railroads

Outrage explodes at WotC over D&D Beyond Drops, which give new 5.5e content to subscribers only! But is the latest controversy real or overblown? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩ Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ⁨@jberrt⁩ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:32 - D&D Beyond Drops 30:49 - Chris Cocks Interview 38:37 - Neon Odyssey 41:40 - High Level Campaigns 48:54 - Optimizer Discourse

This week we minimize DM prep by converting D&D adventure modules to other settings like Grim Hollow, and which one-shots make for the perfect side quests and starter adventures to kick off your TTRPG campaign! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:36 - Best side quest one-shots 09:32 - D&D Beyond Starter Packs 15:33 - Ted D&D episode 21:10 - WotC's AI rules lawyer 31:26 - WotC workers union 35:10- Supporting New DM’s 40:01 - Transforming adventure modules 49:58 - "Pilot Episode" D&D sessions.

This week we revisit the hidden differences between D&D 5e and 5.5e, review the Dungeon Masters live play "Play Along Pack", and Dael actually reads an Unearthed Arcana including the Barbarian Path of Lament, Monk Warrior of Venom, and Warlock Primordial Patron. LAST WEEK to back Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @jberrt Topics: 00:00 - D&D 5.5e rules Quiz 14:39 - Do you like a one-shot? 23:10 - D&D live play "Play Along Pack" 38:53 - Unearthed Arcana: Villains 2 49:03 - Louis Zocchi passing 50:24 - D&D 6e on the horizon?