Neal Litherland
Founding member
Bio
Neal Litherland is an author, freelance blogger, and RPG designer. A regular on the Chicago convention circuit, he works in a variety of genres.
Blog: Improved Initiative and The Literary Mercenary
Stories (309/0)
5 Things You Should Be Putting Mio In (Other Than Water)
If you're one of those people who hates drinking plain, from-the-tap water, then chances are you've at least given Mio a shot. Billed as a sports drink you can keep in your pocket, it's a concentrated liquid sweetener that adds color and flavor to your water so that your post-workout hydration isn't so much of a chore, or so that you can keep yourself from drying out at your desk during the workday.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Feast
How to Build Michael Myers in 'The Pathfinder RPG'
Michael Myers was a boy who, on the surface, was just like any other boy. Voices whispered to him in the dark, though, and one Halloween night he did as they bid him. He put on a clown costume, and took a butcher knife to his older sister. She died, and Michael waited for his parents, and the police, to come retrieve him. Years passed silently in the ward for the criminally insane, and they were long years, where Michael destroyed the minds of those who tried to help him. Those who gazed into his abyss, and felt the empty hunger that waited behind his eyes. Eyes behind which lurked pure, unadulterated evil.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
How To Build Iron Man in The Pathfinder RPG
Tony Stark is, at his core, the story of a knight. A man who overcomes his weakness by putting on a suit of armor and trying to live up to the ideals of a hero while plagued by his own, very human shortcomings. From alcoholism to irresponsibility, revenge to fear, Tony Stark dons the skin of Iron Man in order to become more than who he is without his armor. For players who want to bring that kind of a theme to their games, as well as a sweet re-creation of the Mark II and many of Stark's other armors, this character build guide should help.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Vigilantes
The idea of a costumed hero who hides their true face behind a secret identity has a rich and varied history in our stories. Arguably beginning with the Scarlet Pimpernel in the early 1900s, the archetype also includes such famous characters as Zorro, The Shadow, The Phantom, and Batman. Playing such character in a traditional fantasy game has been difficult, but for those who wish to combine genres, Paizo gave us the Vigilante base class in Ultimate Intrigue!
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
Candyman: A Horror Film That Haunts Us Decades Later
We've all seen the formula at work. A few college students go somewhere they shouldn't, ignoring the warnings and rumors of a deadly killer. The killer is a deformed hulk, showcasing clearly supernatural powers. One by one he picks off the other cast members, until it's only the girl he's focused on (which just so happens to be the pretty blonde one). In the end she seems to defeat him, taking away his weapon and claiming that power for her own.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Horror
Goddesses of Badassdom: Freya
When we read myths and legends, we get reams of text about how awesome the gods are. How clever, how manly, how wise, and we get intricate details about all their deeds and accomplishments. But when it comes to the goddesses? Well, we know their names, and we know generally what their areas of concern were, but more often than not the way they're talked about is that they're just the girls of the pantheon. As if the gods all went out for an epic roarer of a boy's night, and the wives stayed at home waiting for them to come back.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Futurism
Would "Rage" Make an Impact in a New Season of Luke Cage?
When we look back at the shows Marvel put on Netflix, Luke Cage is one of the major successes. In addition to just being a good show, and picking up from where Luke's debut left off in Jessica Jones, it managed to address social issues in a way that really put the audience in the perspective of a character we don't see much; a black superhero. It felt (at least to me as a white viewer, so take this with a huge grain of salt) like it was trying to provide a genuine experience rather than simply co-opting blacknesss to try to get credit. It managed to handle the blacksplotation-era inspiration of the character, and to update him in a way that felt empowering rather than exploitative.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Geeks
5 Unusual Martial Arts For Your Monks
Every character class has its stereotypes, but out of all the base classes it is the monk who's usually put into the narrowest box. However, sometimes all it can take to change our view of a character class is to look at them through a different lens. If you want to change up the flavor and style of your next monk, then consider using some of the following fighting styles in their template instead of the more traditional ones we see around the table.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Roleplaying Characters With Mental Disorders
Roleplaying games allow us to become different people, and to tell stories in unique, unusual worlds. While these characters may vary from nearly-immortal elves, to vampires hiding in the cracks of modern-day society, to grizzled private investigators seeking the truth behind ancient cults, one aspect that's become more common over the years is characters who are created with (or who develop) mental disorders.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Gamers
A Recipe For Poor Man's Crepes
Since I've been keeping to myself even more than usual since Covid-19 hit in March, I've been trying to rebalance my skill set with all of this extra time I found on my hands. While I've had several craft projects from fabric painting to wood burning, one of the big gaps on my resume was cooking. Since I've had roughly half a year of experimentation in my kitchen at this point, I figured it was time to step back and share some of my more successful recipes with you fine, discerning readers.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Feast
Table Attorneys Vs. Rules Lawyers: How To Be Fair Without Bogging Down Your Game
If you've been throwing funny-shaped dice around a table for any length of time, then you've heard the term rules lawyer before. Generally speaking it refers to a player (though it can apply to dungeon masters as well) who in a rules-based environment will attempt to use the letter of the rules rather than the spirit of them in order to leverage advantage for themselves. This term is most commonly found in tabletop RPGs and wargames, but if you've ever worked in a corporate environment you may have met a real-life rules lawyer in the break room.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Gamers
Partners and Polycules: Polyamorous Designations Based Off Dungeons and Dragons Dice
There's a joke in dating circles that the true intention of polyamorous people is not to host debaucherous weekend orgies, but to simply acquire enough partners that they'll always be able to muster a full party for a game of Dungeons and Dragons. Those who are (or who have dated) polyamorous gamers know there's more than a little truth to this particular knee-slapper.
By Neal Litherland4 years ago in Humans