It's been a week since Elden Ring's expasion, Shadow of the Erdtree, released to everyone. We've been hard at work finishing the game and planning out the next season of Bonfireside Chat, and we wanted to take this opportunity to give you our impressions after we both finished our first playthrough. It's good! We have a lot to talk about. This episode doesn't contain story spoilers, but please take caution if you're extremely sensitive to knowing anything about these games before you play them. We can't talk about the game without talking about the game. Additionally, this episode is free for everyone! Please consider backing our Patreon so you can get not only the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree episodes, but a huge backlog of our other work. If you already back us, please spread this around to anyone you know who might be interested! We will have news about when the season will debut soon. Thank you so much for your support!

This morning saw the release of the first trailer for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion for Elden Ring, and we think it looks pretty neat. So we recorded a little reaction episode and are making it available for everyone to share in the excitement. In this episode we also discuss our tentative plans for covering the DLC. Since it's releasing on June 21, 2024 and we need to play it before we can structure the season, don't expect in-depth coverage until sometime in July. We will likely put up a first impressions episode shortly after release to tide you over, though. Bonfireside Chat will return for what appears to be a lengthy season, based on all of the stuff shown in the trailer. The format of the show will likely remain unchanged, and Real Lich Hours will continue its normal release schedule as well. We're excited to have you along for the ride. Now let's go touch that arm!

This is it. Thank you so much for everything.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the ending of the main portion of Bloodborne. The next mainline episodes will be about the DLC. LINKS OF NOTE: Mego Toys Air Jordan Murders That birth thing Kole was talking about The Boss Behelit Tragedy of the Commons I've seen spinals Helios Merger

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the remaining Chalice Dungeons in Bloodborne. LINKS OF NOTE: Gurumin FF3 Dragon Quest Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Crisis Core

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross trudge through the remaining story Chalice Dungeons in Bloodborne. LINKS OF NOTE: Wax Works FF4 The After Years Isaac Hayes Spelunky Ghost 1/35 Soldier Lobos Jr the slap lord Demon Blood Sword Kill Bill Lego Dark Souls! Dark Souls Haters!

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about "Brotherhood of the Wolf", a movie by Christoph Gans that served as a stylistic inspiration for Bloodborne. LINKS OF NOTE: The Village Silent Hill The real Beast of Gevaudan Every Frame a Painting Jackie Chan Joker Gun The Naked Gun The Fall The Birth of Venus

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross give a talk at the Ohio Game Developer's Expo 2015, looking at what Dark Souls did right, and what developers can learn from From's decisions.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Upper Cathedral Ward.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Allison Baker talk about the Upper Cathedral Ward. LINKS OF NOTE: Lego Dark Souls Eraserhead Baby Owls Yanni Left Behind Tribulation Force The Paleblood Hunt Vanishing Twin Bloodborne Close up Necronomicon To Sir With Love The Atlas Method

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Nightmare of Mensis. LINKS OF NOTE: All the Way to Reno Scatman Cotton Eyed Joe Afterbirth Sumerian Script

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, Davin Pavlas, and Scott Benson talk about the Nightmare of Mensis and Mergo's Loft.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross discuss three H.P. Lovecraft stories: "From Beyond", "The Call of Cthulhu", and "The Colour Out of Space". How do they relate to Bloodborne and the Souls games? Find out. LINKS OF NOTE: Her Shackler's Revenge Fear of the Unknown Exorcism of Emily Rose Call of Cthulhu Silent Film Whisperer in the Darkness Pineal Gland From Beyond Movie Castle Freak New Annotated HPL The Repairer of Reputations Point Lookout D-Devil Miracle I should like to own this box some day

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and John Hurst take one final look at Dark Souls. Please stick around for the next episode, which will be the proper conclusion to Bonfireside Chat as a whole.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Steve Gaynor talk about Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village. LINKS OF NOTE: The Fullbright Company Steve on Twitter The Last Guardian Makeup Head Cage Road to Wellville Bram Stoker's Dracula Asylum Sacrifice Tower Knight I didn't know I was pregnant Tone Control Tacoma

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Sean Wagoner read your responses to the Nightmare Frontier. LINKS OF NOTE: Boyfights The Mountains of Madness Fake Trailer Gallgher

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Sean Wagoner talk about the Nightmare Frontier. LINKS OF NOTE: The Lore Hunter Robert W Chambers The Dreamlands MC Pee Pants Souls of Darkness Aboleth Man-Thing

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Forsaken Castle Cainhurst. LINKS OF NOTE: World's Tastiest Cat Litter See No Evil, Hero No Evil Murphy Beds Horse and Buggy Ride Lost in Space Pyramid Head, spoilers here Pumpers Fear of the Unknown

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Cory Banks talk about the Forsaken Castle Cainhurst area of Bloodborne. LINKS OF NOTE: Gamers With Jobs Dragula Fall animations White Wolf Memory Leak bug Cedar Point. Look at that fucking raven rollercoaster!

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Scholar of the First Sin remake of Dark Souls II. LINKS OF NOTE: Oh god, the Fireys Family Guy is so adult and edgy, I just can't stand it Varangians Scholar Changes Spoilers aren't bad

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the last portion of the Scholar of the First Sin remake of Dark Souls II. LINKS OF NOTE: 300 Latchkey Kingdom

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the first half of the Scholar of the First Sin remake of Dark Souls II (stopping at Drangleic Castle). LINKS OF NOTE: Ash Lake Madison Leak A lil Duggar Do Ya Zoikoikum, a pro click Band of the Hawk

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Hypogean Gaol, the Abandoned Old Workshop, and Byrgenwerth College. LINKS OF NOTE: This movie is fucking offensive The Invisible College Me and this guy have a lot in common, I guess Changlings

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Mitch Benes read your questions, prompts, and thoughts about Souls in general.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Danielle Riendeau talk about the Hypogean Gaol, the Abandoned Old Workshop, and Byrgenwerth College. As of this episode, all spoilers are fair game.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Forbidden Woods. LINKS OF NOTE: Cobra Commander Tremors Sneaple

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Bob Mackey talk about the Forbidden Woods. Next episode, about the Hypogean Gaol and Byrgenwerth marks the end of our spoiler-free time.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Jeremy Greer read your responses to the early Chalice Dungeons. LINKS OF NOTE: The Ancient Cave Wet Hot American Summer

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Jeremy Greer talk about the early Chalice Dungeons. This episode covers the basics, the Pthumerian Labyrinth, the Central Pthumerian Labyrinth, the Hintertomb, and the Lower Hintertomb. LINKS OF NOTE: Dark Souls Haters The D'Ni Bastion Idols Sex Chalice Dungeons Explained Latveria

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Hemwick Charnel Lane.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Illusory Wall talk about Hemwick Charnel Lane. LINKS OF NOTE: Brick Troll Moan Illusory Wall Wicker Man The Picture in the House ENB on Hemwick ATHF Insight Polish writing in Bloodborne Gummo Unused area in Boletaria

Gary Butterfield speaks with several Dark Souls and Bloodborne fan artists about what drew them to these games as a subject. Episode Art: Allison Baker from Lego Dark Souls. LINKS OF NOTE: Lego Dark Souls LOTR Weathertop TNG How to Host a Mystery Allison on Twitter * Sohlol on Twitch Sohlol's stuff John Devlin Soulbrandt Peter's Stuff Treasures Untold Tool

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the Cathedral Ward. LINKS OF NOTE: Prosumer American Gladiators! Don't tap that barrel Nintendo doesn't know how to get along with modern technology and marketing.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Dave Klein talk about the Cathedral Ward. This includes Oedon Chapel, the surrounding areas, and the Vicar Amelia fight. LINKS OF NOTE: Dave! More Dave! Ancient City Soundtrack Grim Fandango Oh yeah, these guys... Lobos Shield Run Luggage Sohlol's Messenger Art

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Mitch Benes look back at Demon's Souls and offer their final summation.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to Old Yharnam. LINKS OF NOTE: Dazzler The Flophouse 50 Ways Neonomicon

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Matt Lees talk about Old Yharnam. Up next we're going to the Cathedral Ward, up through Vicar Amelia.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, C.J., and Paddy read your responses to the second portion of Central Yharnam. LINKS OF NOTE: The Lore Hunter Littlest Hobo Big Coffin Hunters Hello I can't find that demo song website but here's Venus 99 Insight Test on Door Nashville Deadwood is still one of the best shows of all time and now Kole is watching it

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, C.J., and Paddy talk about the second portion of Central Yharnam, up through Father Gascoigne. Up next is Old Yharnam. LINKS OF NOTE: When Worlds Collide This is a knife As the World Falls Down All Over the Shop Pantsman Twin Humanities

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses to the first part of Central Yharnam.

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Michael (VaatiVidya) talk about the first portion of Central Yharnam, up through the Cleric Beast encounter. Next time, we'll finish out Central Yharnam with C.J. and Paddy from the Twin Humanities podcast. LINKS OF NOTE: Vaati! Support Vaati! If one door tells the truth... Soapstone App Adam Bucceri Latchkey Kingdom That closed door... Super Arm The Other Vaati

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read your responses about the opening hours of Bloodborne. LINKS OF NOTE: Titan Souls Ioun Stone Dark Souls Haters Brotherhood of the Wolf

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the opening of Bloodborne, including the Hunter's Dream. For any new listeners who are unaware of our spoiler policy, here it is: Each episode is about a particular area, and we go through them in sequence. We won't spoil important things that happen after the area we're talking about. After a certain point in the game, when things turn or open up, this policy is revisited. However, we will be very clear when that happens. Thanks so much for listening. We're happy to have you. LINKS OF NOTE: Jim Varney A Machine For Pigs. Contains Spoilers A Train Marshawn Lynch Wild Wild West Awake Wolfie False Rape Reports Are Statistically Insignificant and also, I'm not willing to debate you on this

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the Dark Souls II promotional comic, "Into the Light". Then we do some freeform Q&A.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross share their first impressions of Bloodborne. Don't worry, no spoilers. LINKS OF NOTE: Odyssey of the Mind You Be the Jury Tell me this cover ain't fucking Bloodborne Twin Humanities

Gary Butterfield, Kole Ross, and Randy Walker read your responses, prompts, and other musings on the Souls series.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross talk about the content from the Scholar of the First Sin patch edition. This episode includes discussion of the new NPC, dialogue, boss fight, and item descriptions. Keep an ear out for further discussion of the updated next-gen rerelease with new item and enemy placement. That episode will come out sometime during the Bloodborne season.

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross read listener responses about Lords of the Fallen. LINKS OF NOTE: Plague Knight DLC ZombiU NSMB2 Shitheads Break Up Literally the thing that GamerGate is furious about Worst Person Alive?

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross discuss the last leg of Lords of the Fallen, from the return to the Rhogar Temple up through the ending of the game. Also, stick around for our final thoughts on the game and how it stacks up. LINKS OF NOTE: L4D Commentary Tor Johnson SH: Homecoming Spawn Toy