SRD Question (for Scott and Linae): 4e References (Mechanics or Mechanics & Fluff)?

[jaldaen]

Scott and Linae,

Here's another question which might help clear up a lot of confusion:

Are 4e references just the mechanics and not the IP ("fluff") of the races, classes, monsters, etc.?

When I first read the SRD I was thinking just mechanics, b/c WotC didn't release their "fluff" with the previous SRD. However, a lot of people are reading "4e Reference" as both mechanics and fluff.

If it is just mechanics, then that opens up a lot of design space for campaign settings, but if it is both mechanics and fluff together, then it limits campaign settings to the default PoL setting, which is almost the opposite of how things worked previously.

Note: This would be good for new settings specifically designed to fit into the PoL motiff, but really restricts settings converted from OGL material.

Thanks for your time and answers