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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How To Build Varys "The Spider" in The Pathfinder RPG
Lord Varys is one of most feared men in Westeros, not because of his raw physical might or political power, but because he is one of the greatest spymasters in the kingdom. His little birds sing, and as a result he knows what happens in the far off wastes of the world just as he knows what happens in the bowels of the supposedly impregnable Red Keep. While no one trusts the treacherous eunuch, Varys might be one of the only characters in A Song of Ice and Fire who is legitimately concerned for the well-being of the kingdom, in addition to saving his own skin from being threshed by the blades of the Iron Throne. This guide should offer a solid starting point for those interested in bringing the spymaster to their Pathfinder game.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
5 True Facts About Sylvester Stallone
There is not a movie fan in existence that doesn't know the name Sylvester Stallone. Best known for his portrayal of boxing lug turned superstar Rocky Balboa, as well as the original shell shocked special forces soldier John Rambo, Stallone is an icon. While his career is experiencing something of a rebirth after his action movie extravaganzas The Expendables and its sequels, there's always been more to Stallone than meets the eye.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Geeks
How to Build Thoros of Myr in the Pathfinder RPG
A Song of Ice and Fire is dark, and full of terrors. While everyone knows the Red Woman Meilsandre, the other priest of the Lord of Light often gets overlooked (despite accomplishing feats that make the red witch go pale). Thoros of Myr, who was little more than a roaring drunk who fought with swords that he set aflame, re-discovered his faith while saying rites over a fallen comrade. Now re-dedicated to the church, the sheer power of the god R'hllor flows through him, and allows him to accomplish truly awe-inspiring feats.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
The History of Twerking
For most people (well, most mainstream white people, anyway), twerking seems like a random dance craze that exploded onto the pop culture scene in the years 2012 and 2013. With celebrities like the Twerk Team rising to positions of Internet fame, the move being prominently featured in music videos such as Diplo's "Express Yourself," and the coverage culminating in the infamous Miley Cyrus Video Music Award Performance with Robin Thicke, twerking looked like something that had sprung up overnight.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Beat
How to Build the Unsullied in the Pathfinder RPG
The world of A Song of Ice and Fire is full of fearsome warriors. The Bloody Mummers and the Second Sons ply their violent trade for coin, The Dothraki horse lords raid and pillage for sport and resources, and both the Sorrowful Men and the Faceless Men will strike from nowhere to end a life before fading away once more. But of them all, perhaps no infantry is more feared, or more respected, than the Unsullied. Slaves and eunuchs, they are trained from their earliest childhood in the arts of war. Masters of the sword, shield, and spear, the Unsullied are trained to feel no fear, to ignore all pain, and to endure any hardship. For those who want to bring that kind of iron-willed warrior into a Pathfinder game, this guide may be just what you've been looking for.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
How to Build Jaquen H'ghar, the Faceless Man, in the Pathfinder RPG
When Arya Stark saved three men from being burned to death in a mobile cage, she didn't know what it was she was letting loose into the world again. Jaqen H'ghar was the name he gave, and the face he wore, but a man is more than just these things. H'ghar was one of the Faceless Men; the visage-shifting servants of the god of death who are some of the most legendary assassins in the whole of the Game of Thrones universe. Their fees have been known to empty treasuries, yet Arya could give this man three names, and the man would do the rest.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Fly Trap
Nothing makes your house feel more unclean than bugs. Whether it's ants walking across your kitchen floor, or midges holding meetings in your sink, you can't help but feel that every room needs to be scrubbed down until the insectoid interlopers get the hint they aren't wanted. You may even be tempted to go for the nuclear option; fumigating your home with bug bombs or aerosol cans. The thing is, though, you're going to be breathing the same air and absorbing the same chemicals as your enemy in those cases. That's why you need to take a step back to deploy something that will be deadly to them, but which couldn't hurt you even if you drank it.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Lifehack
How to Build Syrio Forel in the Pathfinder RPG
Syrio Forel doesn't look like much, at a glance. A short, slender Braavosi with a beak of a nose and a very high opinion of himself, he is actually one of the most dangerous men in King's Landing, if not in the whole of George Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. Formerly the First Sword of Braavos, his swagger is well earned, though we only see it once when he is buying Arya time to escape from Lannister guardsmen. For those who'd like to bring the skill and philosophy of Syrio Forel to your Pathfinder table, this guide should help you get started.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
5 Reasons Caffeine is a Miracle Drug
You'd be hard pressed to find something tasty and popular in the drink aisle that isn't stuffed to the gills with caffeine. Sodas like Mountain Dew and Coca Cola (in their near infinite varieties) have their fair share of this stimulant, and it can be found in larger doses in energy drinks like Monster or Red Bull, which have carved out their own share of the drink market. Even tea and coffee, two of the most popular drinks in the world, have caffeine in them. It should be noted that while the world of cubicles and office work would no doubt grind to a halt without caffeine, science has proven that caffeine can be used as a medicine as well as a quick pick me up.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Longevity
How to Build Jon Snow in the Pathfinder RPG
Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell, was one of the foremost members of the Night's Watch, eventually rising to become the Lord Commander for a time. A good man among thieves, killers, rapists, and worse, Jon went north as soon as he was old enough for his oath to be accepted. With his dire wolf Ghost, Jon has braved the perils of the untrodden forests, fought both with and against Wildlings, and seen things that would turn an ordinary man's blood to ice. The following guide is for players who want to recreate Jon in the Pathfinder roleplaying game as accurately as possible.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
9 Superpowers Your Cat Has
When you get right down to brass tacks, it's sort of a miracle that humans made our way to the top of the food chain. Humans are squishy, maladaptive, prone to illogical behavior, and we tend to try and change the rest of the world to fit our beliefs rather than simply accepting what is, and how it works. Between opposable thumbs, fire, and guns, though, we've cemented our place at the head of the natural pecking order. We've even subjugated cats who, if we could simply irradiate one and receive some sort of DNA transfer through a bite, could turn us into predators the like of which hasn't been seen since the latest round of Republican debates.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Petlife
How to Build Melisandre "The Red Woman" in the Pathfinder RPG
Melisandre of Asshai, more commonly referred to as the Red Woman, is one of the most enigmatic characters in Game of Thrones. A devotee of the strange god R'hllor, she is a priestess who seems greatly concerned with the forces of darkness marshaling against the world. Despite her concern, though, she is willing to take ruthless, even brutal, action to make sure those forces don't succeed, making us wonder whether she's simply a different shade of dark than what she claims to fight. For players who want to bring someone like this enigmatic follower of the Lord of Light, here's a guide to help you get started.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Gamers
