Ajay Patel

A lifelong fan of narrative (in games or books), Ajay Patel has always been an avid reader. Growing up, he was a big fan of the Harry Potter series and always looked forward to the next book release. He still enjoys the Legend of Zelda series to this day with his children. I am Spartacus! I am a wage slave! I am Paul Bellow! A native of Portland, Indiana but living somewhere out in the country (the wilds of Jay County, Indiana), Ajay is married and has four children. His family loves to travel and loves to read. Ajay brings to the team a sense of humor, a deep knowledge of books, and some great writing skills. Ajay is a big fan of tabletop RPG systems beyond D&D and has been known to host board game night on more than one occasion. He enjoys D&D board games, but he knows there's a lot of other great games on the market these days for strategic thinkers.

Dungeon Master Essentials: Building Engaging NPCs for D&D

by Ajay Patel

A knight in shining armor and a red cape rides a white horse, holding up a glowing sword. As if summoned by a Dungeon Master, the villagers cheer, with children and an elderly couple looking on. Engaging NPCs populate the scene amid quaint cottages under a vibrant sunset sky.

Crafting NPCs for D&D? Give them quirks! Perhaps a goblin bard with a fear of music or a scholarly dragon who’s allergic to dusty tomes. Remember, the weirder the NPC, the grander the adventure!

Top Rogue Builds for Sneak Attack Optimization in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

by Ajay Patel

A stealthy elf crouches in a dimly lit stone dungeon, wearing a detailed hooded cloak. She peers cautiously around the corner, with stone stairs in the background and tendrils of hair escaping her hood.

Ready to turn your Rogue into the ultimate sneak-attacking ninja? Grab your daggers, a stylish cloak, and maybe an emergency smoke bomb or two. We’ll guide you through transforming your Rogue into a shadowy legend with wit, charm, and just a hint of mischief!

How to Create Powerful and Unique D&D Character Class Combinations

by Ajay Patel

A fantasy portrait of an elf with pointed ears and braided hair, holding a glowing orb, reminiscent of a D&D adventure. She wears ornate armor surrounded by mountains and two armored guards with spears, an intricate halo-like pattern framing her head.

As any veteran of the tabletop gaming world will know, Dungeons & Dragons is a tapestry woven with magic, adventure, and, most importantly, creativity. One of the greatest joys of the game is crafting unique characters by mixing and matching classes. This …

Crafting Epic Journeys: How to Unleash Powerful Character Arcs in D&D Campaigns

by Ajay Patel

A split image reveals an elf character on the left in a peaceful village with cottages, and on the right, clad in ornate armor, wielding a sword among warriors. This evokes epic journeys and character arcs like those found in thrilling D&D campaigns.

In the captivating realm of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), each campaign unfolds as a unique canvas, eagerly awaiting the brushstrokes of players eager to create vibrant stories that reflect themes of heroism, sacrifice, and profound personal growth. Within this enchanting world, epic …

Top 5 Non-DND Tabletop RPGs and How They Compare to Dungeons & Dragons

by Ajay Patel

An astronaut in a detailed space suit floats in a colorful galaxy, reminiscent of a tabletop RPG universe. Asteroids surround a distant planet with rings. Nearby, a spacecraft and satellite traverse the glowing starry expanse, as if part of an epic Dungeons & Dragons quest.

Dungeons & Dragons, the granddaddy of all tabletop role-playing games, is the undeniable titan of the genre. It’s the name that pops up most often when someone mentions RPGs. But here’s the thing—D&D is just scratching the surface of what’s out there …

D&D Jargon and Terms Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Game

by Ajay Patel

Illustration of a woman with red hair in a bun, wearing a hoodie and jacket, sitting at a desk with an open book and colorful dice. Shes in a room with gaming sheets and a DM chair, deep in the world of DND as an imaginative Dungeon Master.

Dungeons & Dragons, or D&D as the cool kids call it, is a game that whisks players away on fantastical adventures filled with magic, mystery, and a mountain of strange words and abbreviations. Step into a game session, and it might feel …

The Best Ways to Develop Regional Conflicts for Immersive D&D Storytelling

by Ajay Patel

Amidst roaring flames, a powerful figure in dark, ornate armor commands attention in this fantasy scene. Wearing a spiky crown, she exudes authority with her flowing hair in the fiery backdrop, surrounded by armored soldiers and flying creatures—perfect for any Pathfinder RPG or ttrpg adventure.

Imagine this: you’re knee-deep in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and the world feels like it’s truly alive around you. Every town you enter, every character you meet, breathes with a lively history and looming tensions. How is this accomplished? Well, one …

5 Great Ways to Make Money Online (Outside of Your Day Job)

by Ajay Patel

A person with braided hair uses a laptop on a wooden table, browsing an online store featuring a man in a coat, perhaps for their next tabletop RPG session. A ceramic mug sits to the right, while a window and door create a cozy, immersive backdrop.

Countless people find themselves in a position where they need to make a little extra money. Despite that, they often feel like they’re not in a position to. They can’t get more hours or a promotion at work. If you’re in this …

D&D Campaign Setting Ideas Inspired by Popular Movies: Unique Worlds for Your Next Adventure

by Ajay Patel

A rugged adventurer stands ready with a spear in a dense, overgrown jungle, as if stepping straight out of a fantasy realm. Ancient ruins rise in the background, while two gorillas watch from the shadows. Sunlight filters through the thick foliage, casting a mystical glow reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons tale.

Movies have long captured our imaginations with their rich narratives, unforgettable characters, and immersive worlds. Translating these elements into a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting can drastically enhance the storytelling experience for both Dungeon Masters and players alike. Films are brimming with …

The Role of Haptic Feedback in Immersive Gaming Experiences

by Ajay Patel

A futuristic woman with long white hair, wearing a virtual reality headset and headphones, navigates a high-tech wall of circular interfaces reminiscent of a dynamic Dungeons & Dragons quest map. She dons a form-fitting, patterned outfit in this sleek, modern environment.

Have you ever played a game so intense that your hands are sweating, your heart’s racing, and you feel like you’re actually in the world? Yeah, that’s not just good graphics or killer sound design. It’s something way more physical—haptic feedback. The …

How to Use AI RPG Tools to Create Unique and Balanced D&D Items for Your Game

by Ajay Patel

A woman with wavy hair and tattoos leans on a desk cluttered with games and dice, perfectly set for an evening of tabletop RPG adventures. Behind her, adorned bookshelves and Dungeons & Dragons posters create a cozy backdrop in this artistic blend of tech and fantasy.

Imagine a tool in your arsenal that churns out novel treasures and mystical artifacts at the click of a button, each brimming with narrative potential and mechanical intrigue. This is the magic that AI brings to the realm of Dungeons & Dragons …

How Dumb Luck Ruined My D&D Campaign (But Made It Fun!)

by Ajay Patel

Illustration of a confident female warrior with wavy hair in ornate armor, extending one hand and holding a sword on her back, evoking the intrigue of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. The background features a smoky, blue-grey artistic design reminiscent of tabletop RPG settings.

In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, there exists a constant companion that every Dungeon Master and player must contend with: dumb luck. It’s that mischievous force lurking behind every dice roll, ready to twist outcomes and bend narratives on a whim. …

About LitRPG Reads