Kathy Stone

Kathy Stone has been in love with words (and games) since she was a child. Kathy’s favorite books growing up were from the Sweet Valley High series, Nancy Drew, and the Goosebumps series. She loved playing the Nintendo and later the Super Nintendo. She is a mother of one and is living in Indianapolis, IN. Kathy loves a good book, a good laugh, and has been occasionally known to partake in a D&D session or three. I am Spartacus! I am a wage slave! I am Paul Bellow!

How to Build the Ultimate Giant Barbarian for Maximum Damage in D&D

by Kathy Stone

A fierce woman with glowing eyes charges through a dark, stone hallway, wearing tribal clothing and jewelry. Her face painted with red markings, she embodies the spirit of your favorite low-level encounter. A torch flickers on the wall, casting dramatic shadows as if inviting you to share your story in the comments.

In the thrilling world of Dungeons & Dragons, the Giant Barbarian build offers an exciting journey into the realm of colossal power and destruction. Imagine wielding immense strength alongside the mastery of gigantic form, each swing of your weapon leaving devastation in …

The Ultimate Guide to Making Players Cry in D&D: Mastering Emotional Storytelling

by Kathy Stone

A solemn elf with long hair sits in a dimly lit ruined chapel, wearing intricately detailed armor. As if from a scene in a tabletop RPG, she gazes at her hand, with light streaming through a broken window, casting an ethereal glow. Smoke rises from a candle on a nearby altar.

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), where dragons soar and magic crackles through the air, storytelling holds an unyielding power. Imagine this: a group huddled around a table, eyes glistening as they collectively breathe life into a tapestry woven from …

Goonies D&D Trap Masterclass: Everything Dungeon Masters Need to Build Epic Encounters

by Kathy Stone

A surprised woman in a leather outfit lunges forward, holding a dagger. In the glow of the orange-lit tunnel, she navigates a rope bridge with chains hanging around her—a scene straight out of a DND campaign or Pathfinder RPG adventure.

Picture this: a ragtag group of adventurers stumbles upon an ancient, forgotten tunnel system. Every step drips with tension as traps of ingenuity and danger unfold. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s straight out of The Goonies! Those mischievous, booby-trap-laden scenes from the …

Everything You Need to Know to Build an Epic D&D Desert Campaign

by Kathy Stone

A rugged fantasy character with long hair stands in a desert landscape, wearing armor and a scarf blowing in the wind. Swords are visible at their side, evoking the spirit of a DND adventure. Towering rock formations rise under a partly cloudy sky.

There’s something undeniably captivating about venturing into the barren, windswept sands of a desert-themed Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Picture this: a vast expanse of rolling dunes, the relentless sun beating down, casting shadows that shift quicker than you can blink. Even the …

How to Use Floating Items to Enhance Puzzles, Rewards, and Mysteries in D&D

by Kathy Stone

Illustration of a woman in medieval armor with a confident smile, standing amidst ancient pillars. She holds a floating, glowing barrel in one hand. Swirling clouds surround her in a mystical atmosphere, reminiscent of an epic DND adventure.

Every corner of the world can brim with magic and mystery in the best D&D campaigns, and floating items present a tantalizing canvas for creativity. Imagine an artifact that hovers mid-air, shimmering with power, or an enchanted weapon that drifts serenely, waiting …

How to Roleplay Alignment Through Actions: The Ultimate D&D Player’s Guide

by Kathy Stone

A female warrior with short hair, clad in leather armor with buckles and laces, stands confidently as if ready for a DND adventure. Her sword is strapped to her back. The background resembles a cloudy watercolor tapestry in shades of blue and gray, setting the perfect scene for a ttrpg fantasy.

In the enchanting world of Dungeons & Dragons, alignment serves as a crucial yet often misunderstood facet of character development. It’s not just a box to be ticked on your character sheet, but rather a living moral and ethical compass that guides …

The SECRET to Creating MEMORABLE D&D Characters (Quirks & Flaws)

by Kathy Stone

A hooded female adventurer, embodying the spirit of a Pathfinder RPG, holds a detailed map in one hand against a dramatic, smoke-filled backdrop. Her intricate armor gleams as multiple swords are strapped to her back, creating a dynamic and mystical fantasy scene.

Imagine stepping into the shoes of a character who’s more than just a collection of stats and abilities. In the world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), characters come alive through their quirks and flaws, painting them as unique individuals with genuine personalities. …

Flat Earth D&D: The EPIC Campaign Setting Idea!

by Kathy Stone

A surreal landscape illustrates a sunrise over a sea with rocky outcrops and green patches. A giant face emerges from the colorful, cosmic sky, blending with stars and clouds, creating a mystical atmosphere reminiscent of a fantasy realm in Pathfinder RPG.

Imagine the shock on your players’ faces when they discover that the world they’ve been adventuring in isn’t a globe at all, but flat! Revealing a flat world adds an unexpected twist to a D&D campaign, turning what players thought they knew …

These Homebrew Spells Let You Be Spider-Man in Your D&D Campaign

by Kathy Stone

A mystical illustration features a wide-eyed woman with facial markings, donned in a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired red hooded cloak adorned with ornate patterns. She gazes upward, enveloped by a luminous spider web and several spiders against a cosmic backdrop.

The world of Dungeons & Dragons is boundless, where creativity can transform the familiar into the fantastic. By incorporating homebrew spells inspired by the “Spider-Man” universe, you can inject thrilling new dynamics into your campaigns, merging classic superhero elements with the rich …

Why Your Players Skip D&D Exploration (And How to Fix It)

by Kathy Stone

A fantasy illustration of a female adventurer with a hood, holding a map. Behind her, explorers trek toward snow-capped mountains under a vibrant sunset sky. She carries a quiver of arrows and a sword, reminiscent of DND or Pathfinder RPG characters. A compass rose graces the corner.

Exploration in Dungeons & Dragons holds a unique allure, offering players the chance to uncover the unknown, uncover secrets, and immerse themselves deeply within a campaign’s setting. While exploration stands as one of the three core pillars of gameplay—alongside combat and roleplaying—the …

Hilarious D&D Level 1 Quest Ideas (No More Fetch Quests!)

by Kathy Stone

A woman with silver hair dashes through a fantasy farm, clutching a large rooster, chased by angry farmers. Chickens scatter chaotically, and a barn and silo stand under the dramatic flight of birds. Its as if a DND scene comes to life in this action-packed moment.

In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, the typical Level 1 fetch quest has become a staple that many players have grown to expect—and, dare we say, dread. Yet, who says the beginning of a hero’s journey can’t be as memorable as …

AI-Generated DND Puzzles That Will AMAZE Your Players

by Kathy Stone

A grayscale illustration depicts a person with short, dual-colored hair, wearing a glowing green jacket like a character from Dungeons & Dragons. They hold a keyboard in one hand while controlling floating green puzzle pieces in a fantasy landscape at sunrise.

Imagine this: you’re prepping for your next D&D session, and your players are itching for a new challenge. Maybe they’re seasoned veterans who have seen every trap and solved every riddle known to man. Or perhaps they’re new adventurers longing for that …

About LitRPG Reads