Artists and Author Bios: Kiel Howell

Kiel Howell


I've been playing since I was just a wee lad. About 5 years old I think. Played 2nd edition with a brother of a friend. I've been gaming in various forms incessantly.

Favorite Class and why: My favorite class is the monk. I'm the type that likes to take what's considered "the worst" and show that it can be done and that damage isn't everything. Plus...there's just so many different forms of monks that I can be almost any character I can dream of with that class.

Favorite Race to play and why: Dwarf. Burly, can't be burdened (in PF anyways), and beards. Just look at the picture.

How where you introduced to the game? A brother of my dearest and now departed friend introduced
me to 2nd edition. I was young, about 5, and since then I've been hooked.

What inspired you to become a game designer/artist? I've always written things and been creatively
focused, from standup comedy to stage acting to fiction. Fantasy and science fiction (and all the in-betweens) are my favorite genres and gaming, especially RPGs whether videogame or tabletop, were my outlets into a world that couldn't be.

Who or what influences your work the most? That's a tough question, can I say an entire genre? Actually, I'd say it is a fair mix between mythologies, Terry Pratchett, and Dan Simmons. Dan Simmons especially taught me about characters and tragedy. I know a lot of people would point to "the classics" when it comes to tragedy, but I dare you to read Hyperion and tell me you know of a more tragic character than Sol and Rachel. If you do then I know I've got something to read!

Where can I find your work?  Mostly from The Flying Pincushion Games. I have some other things in the works that should be coming somewhat shortly or I don't know if I can talk about them.

What is your favorite thing about or in the game? Imagination. When you become an adult, an amorphously defined term at best, you really do lose the ability to imagine something greater than what you see. The game (Pathfinder, D&D, Marvel Superheroes, whatever!) allows you to flex those muscles and strengthen them again.

What is your least favorite part of the game? Hmmm, can I say that I really don't have a least favorite
part? I think if I absolutely HAD to have something then it would be that time when your character is
dead and you have to sit around waiting. I've got some ideas on how to solve that particular problem but what it comes down to is it is a shared game, the DM or GM can't always cater to one person because of a bad dice roll.

If you could share a meal with any three people, dead or alive, fiction or real, then who would you pickand why? Jesus, because yes I am a Christian and I whole heartedly try to follow his ways. Robert Downing Jr., because I'd love to chat with him in general. Finally, I would love to sit and talk with Stephen Hawking because I am a huge nerd and I've been interested in quantum theory, relativity, and general mathematical principles for quite some time.

Other lesser/Hobbies: I'm a videogamer but I don't have nearly as much time for that as I'd like because I'm also a father. I read voraciously. I build legos. I am writing novels. I am a programmer by day. I also play harmonica, bass guitar, and the trombone.

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