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 Tips For Playing Better Ninjas
The night is quiet. The only thing one can hear is the wind blowing through the eaves, and the occasional flap of a hunting bird. You see nothing, but that doesn't mean there is nothing out there. And as you peer into the shadows, you do not see one of them detach itself from the wall behind you.
By Neal Litherlandabout a year ago in Gamers
Let People Dislike Things
"Let people enjoy things." This has become the rallying cry of several corners of the Internet, and for good reason. Because people should be allowed to enjoy the things they like without shame, as long as it isn't hurting anyone. The customer is always right in matters of taste, as the saying goes, which means that whether you like cheesy horror movies, watching cartoons about the magic of friendship, or consuming the darkest, most nihilistic tales of the most over-the-top sci-fi, you should be allowed to like those things without people coming in to rain on your parade.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Geeks
How To Build an Iron Hands Space Marine
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. The Imperium of Man stretches across the stars, fighting a dozen and more foes on a thousand different fronts. From the regiments of the Imperial Guard, to the battle ships and cruisers of the line, to the overwhelming firepower of the titans of Mars, and the precision of the temples of assassins, the Imperium boasts a mind-boggling variety of warriors and weapons it has unleashed upon the galaxy.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
The Scientist Wizard
Ashtar pulled on his robe, ensuring it sat comfortable across his shoulders, and covered his clothing. He slid on a set of rings, one silver one gold, and clicked them together thrice to activate them. He hung a medallion around his neck, and turned the facing until it clicked. There was a whir of energy, and then clean, sweet air puffed around his nose. He took a deep breath, and then opened the small sack he'd laid on his work bench.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
5 Infuriating Fighters You Meet in Your Gaming Career
When most of us ask ourselves which class is most friendly to newer players, the fighter is the class that comes to mind. Fighters fill some of the most iconic roles in our fiction, their class is easy to get a basic grasp on, and flexible enough that folks can make all kinds of unique characters. In fact, if you've been gaming for a while chances are good you've got a story about an awesome fighter whose deeds live on in tale and song even now that the campaign is over.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
The Utility of Overrun in Pathfinder
Combat maneuvers are one of the rules in Pathfinder that seem really cool and useful, but which always seem to fall by the wayside by mid-to-late levels in a game. Whether you focused on tripping enemies but you keep fighting flying monsters, or you built to disarm foes and find yourself fighting colossal beasts with natural weapons, or you're a grappling master who is rendered next-to-useless by freedom of movement, it seems like there's always something rendering this combat option less effective.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
The Enforcer Wizard
Kadesh sat at the back table of the restaurant, his eyes on the room as his boss ate. Kadesh was a mountain of a man, corded with muscle, a heavy dagger at his belt. Just his presence ensured there was plenty of space accorded their corner, and most people didn't so much as glance their way.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Samurai
Those who rule rarely take to the field to enforce their decrees with their own hands. There will be others who do this task for them; the hands who are trained to act in service to their lords. Warriors of resolve who will face down any odds if it means they serve their master's will, they are known by many names across different cultures and creeds.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
Broken Heroes
This tale first appeared at Cold Open Stories, and was written for Anthology X. The Dead Head launched itself up the tower wall, powerful front claws ripping at the stone and crumbling masonry as it tried to reach them. The thing was the size of a salvage hauler, its sides covered in the same ugly chitin as its eyeless skull, and every impact of its hammering legs shook the tower. When it was half a dozen feet away, a seam in the featureless face opened, revealing rows of razor teeth, and grasping tendrils dripping with corrosive mucous. As soon as he saw the opening Renn’s fingers tightened on the trigger, and a gleaming, steel spike arced through the air. Moonlight glistened along the shaft for just a moment before it vanished into the beast’s jaws. There was a wet, crunching sound, and for a moment the creature stopped moving. That moment was all gravity needed to curl its grip around the monstrous thing, sending it hurtling down to the shattered ground below.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Fiction
The Power of Martial Characters
We've all heard the stories. Tales of how wizards who could barely hold their own against a goblin grew to a level where they could call down meteor swarms, and summon bolts of lightning. Accounts of sorcerers who once fell over in a stiff breeze becoming potent enough that with a wave of their hand they could disintegrate a foe to ash, or remake reality around them. There are even stories of clerics who could barely hold their own growing until they can destroy an entire wave of enemy combatants with a prayer as they held their holy symbol aloft.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
The Paladin Spymaster
A figure slipped down the alleyways of Low Town, doubling back two and sometimes three times to make sure they weren't being followed before continuing on deeper into the crooked, leaning alleys. Rats scurried through midden heaps, and they passed occasional bodies sprawled in the garbage. Drunk or dead, the figure didn't pause to check as they made their way into the maze.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers
What Secrets Does Your Character Hide?
Grendal Bloodhand glanced around, ensuring no one was watching. When he was certain there were no prying eyes, he slipped his hand up behind the moulding near the fireplace in his kitchen, and pressed up on the loose stone. The hidden door in the wall opened, revealing the stairway down to the cellar. The orc slipped into the shadows, closing the door behind him as he found his way down the worn, stone steps. The door at the base was banded with iron and bore half a dozen locks, but instead of touching the trap activating mechanisms he pressed in on five, specific stones around the frame. The lock clicked open, and he stepped inside. Drawing a sparker from his belt, Grendal lit a lamp, then turned up the flame until it shone brightly.
By Neal Litherland2 years ago in Gamers