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)
Filter by community
The Savage Monk
The Testament of Blood was a time-honored tournament that drew warriors from all schools, and all disciplines. From the isolated mountaintops of the Yasurai, to the rushing river fighters of the Montak lands, champions came to test their skills and strength against one another. Every four years, the sands of the arena were spattered with sweat as the finest students of the established forms met, and battled.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
An Exploration of "Reverse Stereotype" Characters in RPGs
Stereotypes and tropes are a big part of storytelling traditions, so it's no wonder that they're also a big part of our RPGs. Whether we're talking about traditional high fantasy games, gritty modern horror settings, or post-apocalyptic romps, everything comes with its own symbolic language.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
5 Classes To Pair With The Promethean Corruption
All power comes at a price. Corruptions are things that can twist the body, and taint the soul, but they also allow one to go beyond what they would normally be capable of. This option, put forth in Horror Adventures, is one that a lot of players have been hesitant to delve into. As such I thought I would put together a series of articles where I suggest some the best classes to pair with given corruptions, and to try to minimize the potential harm they can do while emphasizing the powers they offer.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Unsettling Sorcerer
The man who entered the inn out of the darkness was a haint on two legs. His ragged black hair was shot through with lightning bolts of dirty white, a hitch in his stride gave him a strange, unnatural gait, and his heavy hands boar thick, hoary nails that were akin to claws. It was his face that was the most arresting, though. Every feature, taken on its own, was beautiful. When put together, though, they were disjointed and uncanny. The eyes were too intense, and slightly offset. The mouth was full, but too wide for the face, and the teeth were strong and white but a little too sharp. His voice, when he spoke, was too deep for the chest it came out of; it created the distinct impression of something speaking through him, the words echoing out of a deep, unseen well.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
50 Two-Sentence Horror Stories, SCP Edition
There are things lurking in this world that would rob you of ever getting a good night's sleep again. Creatures ripped from your nightmares, holes in the world that devour anything that comes near them, and cosmic secrets lurking just out of sight, biding their time in the darkness of the void between worlds.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Fiction
5 Tips For Playing Better Ninjas
The night is quiet. The only thing one can hear is the wind blowing through the eaves, and the occasional flap of a hunting bird. You see nothing, but that doesn't mean there is nothing out there. And as you peer into the shadows, you do not see one of them detach itself from the wall behind you.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
Let People Dislike Things
"Let people enjoy things." This has become the rallying cry of several corners of the Internet, and for good reason. Because people should be allowed to enjoy the things they like without shame, as long as it isn't hurting anyone. The customer is always right in matters of taste, as the saying goes, which means that whether you like cheesy horror movies, watching cartoons about the magic of friendship, or consuming the darkest, most nihilistic tales of the most over-the-top sci-fi, you should be allowed to like those things without people coming in to rain on your parade.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Geeks
How To Build an Iron Hands Space Marine
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. The Imperium of Man stretches across the stars, fighting a dozen and more foes on a thousand different fronts. From the regiments of the Imperial Guard, to the battle ships and cruisers of the line, to the overwhelming firepower of the titans of Mars, and the precision of the temples of assassins, the Imperium boasts a mind-boggling variety of warriors and weapons it has unleashed upon the galaxy.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Scientist Wizard
Ashtar pulled on his robe, ensuring it sat comfortable across his shoulders, and covered his clothing. He slid on a set of rings, one silver one gold, and clicked them together thrice to activate them. He hung a medallion around his neck, and turned the facing until it clicked. There was a whir of energy, and then clean, sweet air puffed around his nose. He took a deep breath, and then opened the small sack he'd laid on his work bench.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
5 Infuriating Fighters You Meet in Your Gaming Career
When most of us ask ourselves which class is most friendly to newer players, the fighter is the class that comes to mind. Fighters fill some of the most iconic roles in our fiction, their class is easy to get a basic grasp on, and flexible enough that folks can make all kinds of unique characters. In fact, if you've been gaming for a while chances are good you've got a story about an awesome fighter whose deeds live on in tale and song even now that the campaign is over.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Utility of Overrun in Pathfinder
Combat maneuvers are one of the rules in Pathfinder that seem really cool and useful, but which always seem to fall by the wayside by mid-to-late levels in a game. Whether you focused on tripping enemies but you keep fighting flying monsters, or you built to disarm foes and find yourself fighting colossal beasts with natural weapons, or you're a grappling master who is rendered next-to-useless by freedom of movement, it seems like there's always something rendering this combat option less effective.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
The Enforcer Wizard
Kadesh sat at the back table of the restaurant, his eyes on the room as his boss ate. Kadesh was a mountain of a man, corded with muscle, a heavy dagger at his belt. Just his presence ensured there was plenty of space accorded their corner, and most people didn't so much as glance their way.
By Neal Litherland3 years ago in Gamers
