Neal Litherland
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 (338)
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The Ancestral Harbinger
The street had been deserted a moment before. As Garen watched, though, bodies stepped out of every alley, and most of the doors. They were clad in green and red, the colors of the Ya'sha hatchetmen. Garen licked lips nervously, and swallowed as his eyes slid from one enforcer to the next. The heavy weight of his father's old sword, the horse cutter that Garen hated so much, tugged at his shoulder. It felt warm against his back, like it smelled blood in the air and it was starting to wake up. As far as Garen knew, it could do that.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
If 90,000 People Read This Article, I Can Pay My Bills This Month
This week's title is pretty self-explanatory. As a Vocal+ creator, if I could get 90,000 people to all read this article, that would earn me roughly $540 for this month, and that would be enough to pay my part of the rent on the apartment I share (about $500), and my portion of the utilities (which is about $40).
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Journal
Blending Inspiration and Homage in TTRPGs
When it comes to TTRPGs, all of us take our inspiration from somewhere. Whether it's comic books or action movies, Shakespeare or mythology, the catalyst for characters and plots can come from a wide variety of sources. And sometimes we want to make it obvious what that source is, because that's part of the game for us; paying deliberate homage to the thing that sparked our initial idea.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Unrelenting Cruelty of a Dark and Dying World: Looking at Mork Borg
A cancerous moon hangs like the head of a dying god in a blind and empty sky. Storms ravage the land like fever, the rancid muck churning with the blood of dying sacrifices, and the birth pangs of monsters. A two-headed basilisk shrieks prophecies into the minds of the mad, and the miserable masses seeking just to survive another night of howling beasts and depraved murders bow their heads to pray in crumbling, dilapidated churches.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Black Blade Bastard
Arven Veck eyed the sword suspiciously. The mercenary had the look of a man who'd lived a hard life, and his suspicious, green eyes spoke of someone who'd learned to look for traps in every good hand fate chose to deal him. Giving the weapon a wide berth, he checked the spells and lock of his hair he'd set on the door. Both were right where he'd left them, indicating no one had entered that way.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
5 Cringey Clerics You Meet in Your Gaming Career
The cleric is one of the oldest standbys of fantasy RPGs, going all the way back to the earliest editions when it was called the priest. A servant of divine powers, the cleric is given the ability to manifest miracles to aid their allies, turn back abominations, and heal their companions... but if you've ever shared a table with one of these clerics, you might have decided to just load up your pack with healing potions and take your chances without bringing the god botherer along.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
5 Classes To Pair With The Shadowbound Corruption
There are some experiences you simply cannot emerge from unscathed. Things that, even if you survive, scar your soul and stain the fabric of your flesh. Those who have been lost to the light for too long, and fell through shadow, might find that it is now an indelible part of them. And just as shadow seeks to consume light, so too you will be lost to darkness if uncontrolled.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
Broken Chains: A World Eaters Tale
This story is a sequel to Waking Dogs. Locanthus VII was in chaos. Fires raged out of control, blood ran in the streets, and alarms blared from every spire, each of them bellowing conflicting commands at the citizens of the city. Las fire crackled through the night, and bolters bellowed their explosive wrath. Nightmares in red armor roamed the streets, their battle cries nearly as loud as the roar of their weapons as they brought death and destruction. The carnage blotted out the stars, and smoke billowed to the heavens like a burnt offering to all the gods of slaughter that had ever looked down on nights filled with bloodshed.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Fiction
5 Tips For Playing Better Kineticists
There are many forms of power in the world. Some channel the might of the gods, others master the disciplines of steel, and a select few embrace a potent fury within themselves. Many will transcribe arcane rites, some will follow complex philosophies, and others are simply gifted with strange powers due to a potent bloodline.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
How To Build a Night Lords Space Marine
When the Emperor of Mankind forged his space marines they were meant to be great warriors and protectors of humanity. His gene science and warp mastery allowed him to bestow upon his creations certain gifts and flaws, making them ideal as particular weapons of war. Of all his creations, though, none were bloodier or more terrifying than the VIII Legion... the Night Lords.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
