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.

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. …

Guide to Exploration Spells in D&D: Enhance Your Party’s Adventures

by Ajay Patel

A woman in a flowing robe and cape hovers above a vibrant forest landscape, reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons fantasy realm. Holding a staff with a glowing orb, her hair flows in the wind as she extends a hand, surrounded by swirling magical energy under the cloudy sky.

Unearthing hidden secrets and navigating vast landscapes are pivotal aspects of any D&D adventure, with exploration serving as one of the cornerstones that create an immersive gaming experience. Each ancient forest, towering mountain, and forgotten ruin offers a world of mystery waiting …

How to Modernize Classic D&D Monsters for a New Generation of Players

by Ajay Patel

In a scene reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, a woman in ornate armor wields a glowing staff amidst swirling colorful smoke. Behind her stands a menacing, horned creature with glowing eyes, poised as if conjured from the depths of the most immersive tabletop RPG.

In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, monsters have always been the heart of every quest and the challenge behind epic battles. However, as time marches on, the tastes and preferences of players evolve. They crave fresh experiences, characters with depth, and …

D&D Worldbuilding and Consistency: 5 Tips From Fantasy Authors

by Ajay Patel

A fierce female warrior in ornate armor wields a sword, front and center. Behind her, four shadowy, armored figures stand ominously in a mystical setting. The scene is vibrant with blue and orange lighting, capturing the essence of a TTRPG fantasy adventure.

Creating a Dungeons & Dragons campaign that truly immerses players is no small feat. It’s not just about throwing monsters at adventurers or laying out challenging quests; it’s about building a world so rich and textured that players feel like it exists …

How to Write Compelling Redemption Arcs for Your D&D Characters

by Ajay Patel

A fantasy-themed illustration of a person in a detailed hooded cloak, reminiscent of a DND character, surrounded by vibrant splashes of color. They have an intense expression, with light illuminating their face and intricate designs on their armor.

Imagine this: a world of fantasy where heroes are not just warriors but dynamic characters capable of profound change. In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), redemption arcs offer players and Dungeon Masters (DMs) the rich opportunity to craft stories of …

About LitRPG Reads