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 (314/0)
The Mounted Mage
When we imagine mounted warriors in our fantasy games, they are most often in the vein of glorious knights, deadly horse archers, or even cavalry skirmishers whose scimitars flick out and claim heads before reprisals can come their way. However, we rarely think of these characters as spellcasters... but the ability to move rapidly across the battlefield, slinging spells and sowing chaos can be a unique addition to nearly any party.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
The Final Lamentation
The Unbroken had once been a noble vessel. A ship of the line, it had been built in the days when humanity was ascendant; when the Great Crusade sought to once more cage the stars, and bring enlightenment to the galaxy. The vessel had been used by some of the first astartes when they deployed alongside the solar auxilia, and even after the primarchs had been discovered, the ship had held its course. It had emptied its guns into enemy fleets, dropped entire battalions of troops from orbit onto contested worlds, and won its share of honors in wars whose names and stakes were forgotten by all but the ancient, and the mad. The vessel had also been one of the countless ships commandeered by the warmaster when he’d raised his banners of treachery, and turned his forces against the Imperium. Though it had sustained damage on the push to Terra, and was left scarred by the siege of humanity’s home world, the Unbroken was one of thousands of ships that vanished into the warp when Horus had died, and the traitors’ force was splintered.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Fiction
The Barbarian Rogue
"Look, the captain said we had to keep our eyes open," Marrock said, re-adjusting his grip on his spear. "What for?" Ranner asked, turning out of the wind to light his pipe. "If he's worried about the Gundrian lummox, there's no point. We'll smell him before we see him."
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
Consider Giving Your Loose Cannon Character a Minder
We've all had those character concepts that are just a little too extra for the games we want to play them in. Whether it's the bloodrunk barbarian, the scheming assassin, the chaotic sorcerer with a penchant for burning down villages, or the druid who would lead an animal uprising against a city rather than actually trying to solve the plot, as players we really want to put these characters on the table. We just can't ignore the fact that they would often be more of a detriment than they would be a benefit.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
Bard V. Skald: What's Better For Your Pathfinder Party?
When the hybrid classes first dropped in The Advanced Class Guide, there was a lot of talk about how they'd rendered many of the core class options in Pathfinder suboptimal at best, and obsolete at worst. And of all the times I've seen this discussion, perhaps nowhere is it more fast and furious than in discussing the bard, and its heavy metal offspring the skald.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
The Pugilist Swashbuckler
The sounds of a clanking chain, and the meaty thuds of impacts filled the training room. Lyris stood at the heavy bag, one fist, then the other, slamming into it. The bag wheezed and jumped, swinging this way and that before it was struck again, and again, dancing to her pace. Sweat rolled down her limbs, and her breathing grew harder, but she didn't stop until the leather gave way, and her fist tore into the bag. Grunting, she pulled her hand out, flexing her fingers.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing a Better Pacifist
When our adventures start, battle can seem a foregone conclusion. After all, you don't overthrow the ironclad grip of a despot with peaceful protests, nor can you win a war through diplomacy alone. However, there are many players who may enjoy the challenge of playing peaceful characters; characters who will shed no blood, and cause no harm throughout the entire campaign.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
The Power of Prepared Casting
Over my many years with Pathfinder Classic as an RPG, I've run into a lot of players who simply refuse to play prepared casters. Wizards, clerics, druids, magi, warpriests, witches, and others, it doesn't matter the flavor of the class or how powerful its spells are, they simply will not consider these classes when putting together their characters.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
Pixabay is an Ideal Resource For Bloggers, YouTubers, and Content Creators
A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the old saying goes. And if you're on the Internet creating content, you need to have images to catch people's eyes so they stop scrolling long enough to look at what you've made. Whether you run a blog, create videos for a platform like YouTube or Dailymotion, or you just put out articles on Vocal, you need to have eye-catching images.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Journal
Blackest Knights
The inquisitor hung from where he’d been shackled to the cross brace. Sweat ran across his skin, cutting through tracks of dirt and blood alike. His chin practically rested on his chest, and he stared at the floor with half-lidded, unfocused eyes. His breathing was slow and steady. He had barely said a word since he’d been bound there nearly three days ago. His silence did not bother Trixentia. Truth be told, she liked to take her time with the early steps of the dance, drawing out the beautiful agony that was yet to come. And as the one who had taught her the art of confession had said, a body will tell you secrets even if the lips stay silent.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Fiction
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