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)
10 Backgrounds for Your Scoundrels
Every party has at least one member who doesn't play by the expected rules. Someone who's got an angle, who has contacts, or who knows just how to lean on somebody. They go by a lot of different names, too. The schemer. The blackguard. The thug. But one of the most applicable titles for them is the scoundrel.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Next LARP
LARPs come in all different sizes and genres. Whether you're a sword-swinging half-orc in a fantasy setting, a rugged survivor in the post-apocalypse, or a bloodsucking creature of the night making your play to take over the city, there are all kinds of games out there.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 (Specific) Costuming Tips for Your Next LARP
If you've ever sat around a table with a character sheet and some funny-shaped dice, part of you has no doubt wondered what it would be like to play in a real fantasy world. To feel the weight of a sword in your hand as goblins charge down the path, or to sit in a darkened room with a vampire prince, making deals for the soul of the city.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Gnomes
Gnomes tend to be thought of as a mixture of irritating tricksters and half-mad inventors, with a hefty dash of poor impulse control just for spice. However, there is a lot going on with gnomes just beneath the surface. For players looking to step outside the stereotypes of this inherently magical race, there are all sorts of wild possibilities for who (and what) you could become.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
10 Unique Prompts for Your Next Campaign
Being a dungeon master is not an easy task. You have to build the world, create the plot, remember the names of all the important characters, chronicle the adventure, and figure out how to deal with any and all unexpected happenings (read, player actions) that come your way.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
- Top Story - January 2019
5 Horror Movies About Real DemonsTop Story - January 2019
Demons are a favorite creature for the horror genre. Ancient and eternal, they come in an infinite variety of forms, and most of the time they don't even need an explanation. Their very existence is all the threat you need to drive the story and create the proper amount of fear.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
5 Tips for Playing Better Halflings
With their short stature and sometimes reckless natures, halflings are often thought of as the odd-folk-out when it comes to adventuring parties. However, if you're looking to make a halfling that doesn't fit the stereotypical mold for this race (or if you just want to dig a little deeper than the Tolkien-esque surface these characters often get stuck with), then here are a few tips to get you started.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips for Playing Better Dwarves
Dwarves have been one of the most common fantasy races in RPGs since the inception of these games. Short, broad, stoic, and bearded, this race of hard-working craftsman are perhaps the most similar to the archetypes presented in Tolkien's work.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
How I Lost 40 Pounds by Eating More Taco Bell
When I was a teenager, I had a lot of trouble gaining weight. Part of it was that I stayed pretty active year round (football practice, track, after school weight lifting, all that stuff), and part of it was that when you're still growing and changing your stomach is a gas tank with a hole in it. You can never put too much fuel in it.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Longevity
5 Tips for Playing Better Elves
Elves are often thought of as the banner-bearers for high fantasy as a genre. With their inhuman lifespan, strange ways, and occasionally alien thoughts, they can be difficult to portray in new, interesting ways. If you've had trouble stepping outside Tolkien's box with your elves, then here are some tips you should think about.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Gamers
The Real Reason Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' Reboot Failed
I found myself in a rather unique position last month. Because while I'm a fan of slasher movies, I'd never actually seen any installment of the original Halloween series other than the first movie. That meant when Halloween 2018 showed up in my local theater as a direct sequel to John Carpenter's original film, I didn't have an entire series worth of continuity to forget in order to enjoy what was right in front of me.
By Neal Litherland5 years ago in Horror
10 Questions to Put on Your Character Creation Document
If you're a dungeon master, then you need all the information you can get about the player characters at your table. If you've noticed that getting meaty details out of your players feels like pulling teeth, though, then what you need might be a character creation document.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers