LitRPG Reads: RPG + DnD + Books = LitRPG

Beyond the Basics: Crafting Unique Character Lineages for DND Campaigns

Fantasy illustration of a confident elf woman with pointed ears and a high ponytail, wearing medieval clothing and carrying a backpack. Perfect for any tabletop RPG setting, she stands in a forest with mountains behind her. Two other elves accompany her, one holding a staff—pure ttrpg magic!.

In the realm of character creation, the potential for unique lineages broadens the horizons of storytelling, inviting novel concepts and unprecedented diversity into the gaming narrative. These custom lineages transform conventional archetypes into intricate characters, each with their own histories, abilities, and …

Beneath the Waves: Crafting Underwater Realms for Tabletop RPG Campaigns

by Paul Bellow

A fantasy underwater scene unfolds with ancient ruins reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, featuring a seahorse, vibrant fish, and colorful coral. Sunlight filters through the water, bringing to life the marine wonders and mystical structures below.

Underwater settings have long captivated storytellers and adventurers alike. Imagine a realm where sunlight bends through crystalline waters, casting playful shadows on the glistening ocean floor. There’s an enigmatic attraction beneath the waves, where mysteries are buried, unseen by the naked eye. …

Digital DND Character Creators: A Complete Tabletop RPG User’s Guide

by Heidi Jiang

A person with red hair sits at a cluttered desk filled with tabletop RPG books, papers, dice, and snacks. They are writing in a notebook while a laptop is open beside them. Sunlight streams through a window, casting a cozy fantasy atmosphere perfect for adventure. -- PaulBellow.com.

In the sprawling landscape of gaming, particularly in tabletop adventures such as Dungeons & Dragons, the art of character creation stands as a vital centerpiece. Character creator tools are modern marvels, streamlining what was once an arduous process. Imagine a fledgling player—a …

Guild Masters Guide: How to Build and Manage Complex Organizations in RPGs

by Emily Thorne

A figure in ornate armor with flowing hair stands on a platform, overlooking a vast, majestic castle surrounded by red banners. The scene, reminiscent of a tabletop RPG, is framed by towering pillars, exuding a sense of grandeur and fantasy.

In the vast realm of storytelling, guilds are the unsung architects of intrigue and depth. They’re not mere collections of individuals; rather, they’re complex entities bristling with potential, laden with rich storytelling opportunities. Imagine a thieves’ guild, initially a loose band of …

Missing a DND Player? How to Keep Your Campaign Thriving

by Ana Libanski

Four adventurers huddle around a table in a cozy, wooden tavern-like room, engrossed in their DND campaign. The warm glow from the lights mingles with the gleam of moonlight through the window, illuminating shelves brimming with books and casting shadows over dice and character sheets.

In every campaign journey, there comes a time when a player cannot make it to the session. It might seem like a disruptive force threatening to throw the meticulously crafted narrative off its tracks. But here’s the thing: handling absences skillfully is …

Island Realms: Crafting Compelling Maritime Settings for Fantasy RPG Campaigns

by Amir Barakat

A woman dressed as a pirate stands confidently on a ships deck, evoking the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons, with her tricorn hat and leather attire. Behind her, another pirate ship sails the open sea under a cloudy sky, framed by a vintage, weathered border.

Islands, isolated and enigmatic, create the perfect canvas for weaving intricate tales of adventure and mystery. The allure of the sea, the unknown that lies beyond the horizon, and the sense of seclusion provide a unique backdrop that can elevate narrative settings …

The Art of Animosity: Crafting Compelling NPC Rivals in your DND Campaign

by Kiera Mensah

An ethereal, gothic-style illustration portrays a hooded sorceress with a glowing staff, surrounded by arcane symbols, crows, and swirling mystic energies. This captivating scene evokes the enchanting world of tabletop RPGs like Pathfinder RPG, all within an ornate, ancient-looking frame.

Creating rivalries within a narrative can transform what might be an ordinary storyline into a gripping, multifaceted saga. Imagine, for instance, a simple trading quest in a bustling medieval market. The player characters are mere middlemen, but suddenly, two battling merchant NPCs …

Beyond Combat: Mastering Social Challenge Design in Tabletop RPG Campaigns

by Kenny Kings

Three fantasy characters, dressed in medieval attire, gather in a dimly lit stone room with candles. One clutches a staff like a seasoned Pathfinder RPG adventurer, another gestures, and the third stands with a glowing symbol. Ancient books and chests surround them, like treasures from a tabletop RPG campaign.

In the intricately woven tapestry of tabletop role-playing games, combat often steals the spotlight. But, what if I told you that social encounters could be equally exhilarating? Picture a beautifully orchestrated negotiation where words become weapons and persuasion, your greatest ally. In …

What is LitRPG Reads?

Simply put, LitRPG stories take place in a game (or gamelike) world with rpg-style progression. Basically, an RPG in narrative format. RPG + Books = LitRPG! The term LitRPG was originally coined by three Russian authors back around 2010. I cover a lot of Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop RPG content here too!

About LitRPG Reads

Paul Bellow is a LitRPG author, decades-long gamer, RPG game developer, and publisher of several online communities. In other words, an old school webmaster.

He also developed and runs LitRPG Adventures, a set of advanced RPG generators powered by GPT-3 AI. Here at LitRPG Reads, he publishes articles about LitRPG books, tabletop RPG books, and all sorts of DND content that's free to use in your personal tabletop campaign - i.e. non-commercial use.

Enjoy your stay and reach out on Twitter or Discord if you want to make contact.