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 John Wick in 'Dungeons and Dragons' 5th Edition
A man whose name sends shivers down the spine of even the most skilled assassins at the beck and call of the High Table, John Wick is the best there ever was. A man who did the impossible, he got out of the game for love... and he got back in for revenge. And since he's returned, he has proven that despite the years he was gone, he is still very much the John Wick of old.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
50 Shades of Rage
The word barbarian brings to mind certain images. Snowbound brutes with fur cloaks and broad swords, their long hair whipping in the wind as they howl savage battle cries, undeterred by the exhaustion and pain that would plague merely mortal men. Hulking tribesmen on the endless tundra, their spears and hands bloody from the long day's hunt for game and enemies alike. Or, if you're a cultured sort of gamer geek, you might picture some of the old pulp magazine covers that prominently featured Conan, Kull, and the other barbarians created by Robert E. Howard and his ilk.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
Glima: The Martial Art Created by the Vikings. Top Story - May 2019.
When the Norsemen sailed out of Scandinavia, they quickly cultivated a bloody and fearsome reputation. Brutal warriors and vicious raiders, they were also skilled sailors and navigators, and they established trade networks from the British Isles all the way to Constantinople (where many Norsemen joined the Varangian Guard, acting as the personal bodyguards to the Eastern Roman emperors).
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Unbalanced
10 Backgrounds for Your Spellcasters
Magic is one of the most potent tools in a fantasy setting, and it comes in many forms. A gift from the gods, a product of long study, an accident of birth, unlocking the mystical potential of music, or a bargain with an eldritch being are all viable paths to power. The thing many of us forget, though, is that these magic users come from even more diverse backgrounds, and they use their spells in a variety of different ways.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips for Playing Better Noble Characters
Fantasy stories are replete with tales of noble adventurers. From princes like Charming and Valiant, to knights in shining (or dented and hard-used) armor, to sorcerer queens and pirate lords, it seems like you can't go more than a few chapters before finding someone with a title and a piece of land to call their own.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
10 Backgrounds for Your Scoundrels
Every party has at least one member who doesn't play by the expected rules. Someone who's got an angle, who has contacts, or who knows just how to lean on somebody. They go by a lot of different names, too. The schemer. The blackguard. The thug. But one of the most applicable titles for them is the scoundrel.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Next LARP
LARPs come in all different sizes and genres. Whether you're a sword-swinging half-orc in a fantasy setting, a rugged survivor in the post-apocalypse, or a bloodsucking creature of the night making your play to take over the city, there are all kinds of games out there.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 (Specific) Costuming Tips for Your Next LARP
If you've ever sat around a table with a character sheet and some funny-shaped dice, part of you has no doubt wondered what it would be like to play in a real fantasy world. To feel the weight of a sword in your hand as goblins charge down the path, or to sit in a darkened room with a vampire prince, making deals for the soul of the city.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Tips For Playing Better Gnomes
Gnomes tend to be thought of as a mixture of irritating tricksters and half-mad inventors, with a hefty dash of poor impulse control just for spice. However, there is a lot going on with gnomes just beneath the surface. For players looking to step outside the stereotypes of this inherently magical race, there are all sorts of wild possibilities for who (and what) you could become.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
10 Unique Prompts for Your Next Campaign
Being a dungeon master is not an easy task. You have to build the world, create the plot, remember the names of all the important characters, chronicle the adventure, and figure out how to deal with any and all unexpected happenings (read, player actions) that come your way.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
5 Horror Movies About Real Demons. Top Story - January 2019.
Demons are a favorite creature for the horror genre. Ancient and eternal, they come in an infinite variety of forms, and most of the time they don't even need an explanation. Their very existence is all the threat you need to drive the story and create the proper amount of fear.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Horror
5 Tips for Playing Better Halflings
With their short stature and sometimes reckless natures, halflings are often thought of as the odd-folk-out when it comes to adventuring parties. However, if you're looking to make a halfling that doesn't fit the stereotypical mold for this race (or if you just want to dig a little deeper than the Tolkien-esque surface these characters often get stuck with), then here are a few tips to get you started.
By Neal Litherland7 years ago in Gamers
