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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5 True Facts About Ian Fleming, the Author of 'James Bond'
James Bond is one of the most well-known fictional characters in popular culture today. His shoes have been filled by memorable actors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and most recently by Daniel Craig, making him feel like an always new and culturally immortal character. However, while Bond's exploits are known practically around the world, not everyone knows the unique story of his creator. There was far more to Ian Fleming than met the eye.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Geeks
How to Build Jason Voorhees in the Pathfinder RPG
Camp Crystal Lake is cursed, or at least that's what they say. Ever since that kid drowned there, the place has been called Camp Blood by the locals. People keep winding up dead there, and every time someone tries to re-open the thing, tragedy strikes. Most people don't even know about it now, but you still hear screams sometimes. Because murder lurks in those trees; a vengeance that will never truly be slaked, no matter how many people it eats.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
Bartitsu: The Original Mixed Martial Art
Who would win in a fight? It's a conversation we've all had at one point in time or another. A heavyweight boxer against a judo master? An Olympic wrestler versus a Brazilian Jujitsu fighter? Obama in a cage match with Mitt Romney? Batman versus Superman? We want the answers to these questions.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Unbalanced
5 True Facts About Christopher Lee
There are few faces or voices as instantly recognizable as that of British actor Christopher Lee. With amazing film credits, such as the Star Wars villain, Count Dooku, and Lord of the Rings baddie Sarumon, Lee appeared in over 200 films, which have grossed some of the highest amounts in Hollywood history. That said it's the unusual happenstance and bizarre coincidences of Lee's life that make the man more interesting than any of the characters he's portrayed.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Geeks
How to Knock Someone Out with One Punch
Anyone who's ever watched a fight knows how impressive a one-shot knockout can be. And anyone who's ever actually been in a fight knows that it's a lot harder to pull off than it looks in the movies. The secret to the one-punch knockout isn't really a secret though; it simply requires a basic understanding of your opponent's body and how you can take advantage of its inherent weaknesses. In short, the perfect knockout punch has almost nothing to do with size and strength and everything to do with technique and precision.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Unbalanced
How to Build Spider-Man in 'The Pathfinder RPG'
Spider-Man has been one of Marvel Comics' hottest commodities for years. The face of the company in many ways, the wise-cracking wall-crawler has been featured in nearly every title Marvel has put out, and seems to be on a first-name basis with nearly every character in the sprawling fictional universe. And now that he's finally made his way into the MCU, that certainly isn't changing. If you'd like to bring a set of spider powers to your Pathfinder table, then this guide should help you nail down some of the big strokes in creating your own high-fantasy Spider-Man.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
How to Build Thor in 'The Pathfinder' RPG
The self-proclaimed protector of Earth, Thor has become one of Marvel's most popular heroes since the Avengers came together on the big screen. For those who want to bring some of the Asgardian prince's rough humor to their Pathfinder games (along with his hard-hitting hammer), it can be done. It might take a few levels and some very careful building, but it can be done.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
How to Build Ghost Rider in the 'Pathfinder' RPG
Everyone knows the story of Johnny Blaze. A daredevil motorcycle rider, he sold his soul to the devil in order to buy his dad a little more time on Earth. The devil kept his end, and then came to demand his due. Johnny found himself saddled with the demon Zarathos, the true Spirit of Vengeance. When innocent blood was spilled, and the guilty walked free, Zarathos took control of Johnny, and transformed him into the Ghost Rider. A being of fire and bone who felt no fear, no pity, and who would not stop until the guilty had been punished.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Clerics
The gods are a distant, yet potent force in fantasy RPGs. While they rarely interact in meaningful ways with the populace at large, there are certain servants they deem worthy. Men and women whose prayers are answered, and who are graced with the touch of the divine. They are given the right to perform miracles in the name of the gods, and they draw their power from a well deeper (and sometimes darker) than mortal minds can comprehend. They are known by many names throughout the world, but to those of us sitting around the table they're called clerics.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Bards
Bards. They're performers and spies, battle drummers, healers, storytellers, and commanders. The class's powers are so varied and flexible that bards are one of the most fluid base classes. Whether a party is delving into a dungeon that's been sealed for a thousand years, hunting assassins in the king's court, or on the front lines of a major war, you should always bring a bard with you.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips for Playing Better Paladins
The paladin is one of the iconic figures of fantasy RPGs. Stalwart and noble, these knights in shining armor are conduits to the divine, and sources of hope and goodness in a world often plagued with darkness. At the same time, though, they are uniquely mortal, and just as their strengths are magnified, so too are their weaknesses. A paladin who loses her way is cut off from the power of the gods, and has to climb up the mountain to once again redeem herself. Some paladins take the divergent path though, and reach out to the forces of evil instead, becoming perverse reflections of what they once were. Bloody warriors who inflict cruelty and death on all those around them, and whose black-stained hearts give even true fiends pause.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips for Playing Better Barbarians
Barbarian. As soon as we hear the word, an image comes to our minds. A tall, muscular figure with a primal might about them. A figure of nearly animalistic strength, the barbarian is unbound by modernity, and unshackled by the worries and fears of lesser men and women. However, while this archetype looms large in roleplaying games, barbarian characters don't need to fit this mold. They can grow and change in unexpected ways. If you're looking for ways to make your barbarians more memorable, and to reach beyond the typical limits put on the class, this guide should help get you started.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
