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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What is a Warlock?
If you ask people what a warlock is, you're going to get a variety of answers depending on who you direct the question towards. Some people will tell you it's a man in league with the devil, who exchanged his immortal soul for fell powers. Some might say it's an old term for a liar, or a promise-breaker. Gamers will say it's a sweet spell-casting class in systems like Dungeons and Dragons, and Wiccans may explain that it's a term applied to people who practice a destructive form of new age, neo-pagan faith.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Futurism
How To Build Nightwing in The Pathfinder RPG
Batman might be one of the most infamous heroes of the DC comics universe, skilled and strong enough to take on all comers, but he's only one man. Like all great crusaders, the Dark Knight needed a squire; a role is filled by Robin. While several heroes have worn that mantle over the years, this particular build will focus on Dick Grayson; the first Robin who grew into the hero Nightwing.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
What is a Sorcerer?
When you think of a sorcerer, what images come to mind? A man in a long robe, perhaps, waving a wand or making arcane gestures with his hands? A woman tossing bones, or gazing into a fire, foretelling events she could not possibly know of? Getting close?
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Futurism
How To Build Batman in The Pathfinder RPG
Perhaps the most famous superhero of all time (and certainly the one with the biggest number of film adaptations under his utility belt) is Batman. A stand-out in the DC universe, Batman has no superpowers barring his colossal wealth and indomitable willpower, but he doesn't let that stop him from taking on challenges ranging from street gangs, to homicidal clowns, to alien invasions. For those who want to bring a touch of the Dark Knight into a Pathfinder game it's actually a lot easier than you might think.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
Top 3 Hidden Gem TV Shows You Should Binge Watch. Top Story - May 2020.
We're all spending a lot more time in front of our screens these days, keeping ourselves inside where we're safe and waiting for the pandemic to blow over. For a lot of us, that means we've already chewed through our list of shows we've been meaning to watch, and we've chased it with our old favorites that we turn to in our times of need. If you're coming up dry for new shows to feed that hunger inside you, and you'd like some fictional fears to deal with as a change of pace, here are three spooky shows that even diehard horror fans may have missed.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Horror
How To Build The Joker in The Pathfinder RPG
Of all the enemies Batman has faced down, none have tested his mettle, his endurance, and his sanity the way the Joker has. The murderous maniac seemed to step fully-formed from the darkest part of the caped crusader's own psyche, transcending the line between a mortal ally, and a force of pure madness that must be contained. Behind the facade of the Clown Prince of Crime, though, is the Joker really as mad as we think he is? Or is there a method to even the most ridiculous and dangerous of his ploys and plans? If you'd like to answer some of those questions at your Pathfinder table, here's a guide to help you get started.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
Azazel: Fallen Angel, or Something Else?
Anyone who's read even a bit of the Bible has come across the creation story, and the loss of the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in the garden of Eden until the Serpent tempted Eve with knowledge that was only supposed to be God's. So she ate of the tree of Knowledge, and so did Adam. The couple got caught big time, and they were cast out along with the Serpent who had begun the whole mess. The moral of the story is that you should never trust anything a snake tells you is a good idea, right?
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Futurism
How To Build Huntress in The Pathfinder RPG
The Huntress has gone through a lot of changes over the years. The name and persona were originally assigned to Helena Wayne, the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle (alias Batman and Catwoman). When her mother died, Helena donned a costume of her own, and used the skills her parents taught her to find the man responsible, and bring him to justice. In alternative stories the mantle was worn by Helena Bertinelli, a mafia daughter who vows bloody vengeance when her whole family is wiped out by a rival gang. Both versions are swift, deadly, and precise. Both versions have been woven in and out of the Bat-family, which makes her a snug fit into this Gotham Knights character build series.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
What's The Difference Between Devils and Demons?
There's a saying that English doesn't borrow from other languages. No, English bludgeons other languages over the head, drags them into dark alleys, then goes through their pockets for crumpled adjectives and loose grammar.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Futurism
How To Build Commissioner James Gordon in The Pathfinder RPG
James Gordon is one of the oldest supporting characters in the Batman universe. Debuted in Detective Comics #27, Gordon is one of the first members of the cast to be introduced. He's gone through almost as many changes as the caped crusader himself, but for this particular version we're going to use the version of Jim Gordon created by Frank Miller in Batman: Year One. This version of Jim Gordon was pressured out of the Chicago Police Department because he brought down two dirty cops, and he's recently become a detective in Gotham. Driven, hard-as-nails, and a veteran of the military, this Gordon is uncompromising in his desire to clean up his new home town.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
What It Really Means To Be a Swashbuckler
A lot of things probably come to mind when you hear the term swashbuckler. For example, most of us picture the flash of steel, the clash of parries, and the witty banter of heroes (or villains) whose skill is so great that even a duel to the death isn't enough to greatly concern them as they advance and retreat across a parapet, or the heaving deck of a ship. You probably also imagine musketeers in their trademark hats, and pirate captains with their swirling coats, all taking on long odds and coming out ahead with nothing more than guts and style as their rapiers flash in blinding strokes and dazzling parries that prove skill is sometimes enough to overcome greater numbers.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Unbalanced
How To Build Loki in The Pathfinder RPG
When Marvel Comics brought superhero movies into the 21st century it sent shock waves through the world of entertainment, and smashed records into smithereens. The films also brought many of Marvel's flagship characters into the mainstream, including Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, the Black Widow, and Thor. Along with Thor came his brother Loki, the god of mischief and lies. A villain who could have been a hero in his own right, Loki is usually one step ahead of everyone else. For players who want to be slick, sly, and clever it's easier than you think to bring the prodigal son of Asgard to your Pathfinder game.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
