D&D 5E Dragonlance book (180 pages) for players & DMs coming December 6!

[Velderan]

According to Splinterverse (in this post) the authors are commission art to repalce the illegal art so they can release it on DM's guild. I kinda think that proves my point.

Of note, if they do release it on DMsGuild, they will need to remove it from whatever site they have it posted for free (per DM's Guild requirements).

PS The Elmore art "Dragon Slayers" is in the book, fairly early. I am not sure who has the copyright on it, but normally it would be TSR/WotC. That is also not the only, non original, art.

I just looked again and there is other suspect art, but it is honestly not as much as I thought. I imagine they can get this cleaned up for the guild without much effort.

They already did remove it from where it was posted before. They didn't mention anything about any art being used incorrectly, but as has been said before, said they were commissioning new art and expanding some of the book for release on DM's Guild. They won't be making it available for free on their site again I'm sure.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Definitely not all of the draconian art and there is classic elmore art in there (not even from dragonlance) among others

That is a common misconception. Just because it is free, does not allow you to use another's IP and trade dress. That being said - a lot of people do it (including myself). However, it is still illegal.

If you do it, why are you calling it out in a judgemental way? In any case, by that definition, no one can homebrew with someone's IP without permission, which makes an awful lot of gaming illegal.

 

[dave2008]

If you do it, why are you calling it out in a judgemental way? In any case, by that definition, no one can homebrew with someone's IP without permission, which makes an awful lot of gaming illegal.

Probably because I woke up grumpy from a nap! This really doesn't bother me that much.

However, I do expect more from apparent professionals. I was told some of the authors worked on the the original modules - they should know better.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Yes it is. It being free doesn't change the fact that they are illegally using another's IP and trade dress. However, a lot of people do it as I noted in my post above this one. I get more riled up by the art theft personally - but it is still illegal.

PS There was a big discussion on this issue, on this forum, a few years ago. The local lawyers confirmed it is illegal even if you offer it for free. I was on your side then, but I was wrong.

I will say if you or I take a piece of Elmore art and put it in my Roll20 game that is most likely fair use... if on the other hand I put it in my landing page for my campaign setting homepage and try to use it to get traffic is where we get to legal issues. (unless it is there to be critique that is also fair use at least it CAN be)

 

[mamba]

According to Splinterverse (in this post) the authors are commission art to repalce the illegal art so they can release it on DM's guild. I kinda think that proves my point.

That says nothing about replacing illegal art, only about adding more commissioned art. I guess we will see on the 6th.

 

[dave2008]

Presenting the cover to our upcoming Dragonlance book with art by Rod Mendez inspired by Larry Elmore!

View attachment 268157

The authors of the platinum-bestselling Feywild Companion and Fizban’s Vault of Draconic Secrets, bring you a 180-page book over six months in the making. The world of Krynn is yours with the Dragonlance Companion. Players and DMs will find everything they need to create compelling characters and undertake exciting adventures across Ansalon and beyond.

Dragonlance Companion releases Dec. 6 on the DM's Guild! Follow us everywhere @Splinterverse for daily spoilers until release.

@Splinterverse , I really likes this cover art. I have two questions for you:

1. Who is the artist (and do they have any more work in the book)
2. Was there any thought about going back to the original idea of having the DL dragons being slightly different from the standard D&D dragons?

I guess that was 3 questions

 

[GMforPowergamers]

back to the original idea of having the DL dragons being slightly different from the standard D&D dragons?

this is some out of game lore I don't know... was there going to be differences in the 1e setting?

 

[dave2008]

this is some out of game lore I don't know... was there going to be differences in the 1e setting?

The chromatic dragons in the original trilogy where specifically designed to be different from the normal 1e chromatics. IIRC, which ever artist first designed a dragon set the standard for that dragon. It is easiest to see in the classic Takhisis art by Caldwell and the 1e MM:

1e Takhisis

1e Tiamat:

Black Dragon: two nose horns instead of forward pointing bull horns
Blue: no nose horn
Red: most similiar, but added more horns/spikes
Green: no dorsal frill and added horns
White: a crown of horns vs single horn/frill

These were intentionally different than the MM versions.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

The chromatic dragons in the original trilogy where specifically designed to be different from the normal 1e chromatics. IIRC, which ever artist first designed a dragon set the standard for that dragon. It is easiest to see in the classic Takhisis art by Caldwell:

1e Takhisis
View attachment 268621
1e Tiamat:
View attachment 268625

Black Dragon: two nose horns instead of forward pointing bull horns
Blue: no nose horn
Red: most similiar, but added more horns/spikes
Green: no dorsal frill and added horns
White: a crown of horns vs single horn/frill

okay just visual... I was hopeing maybe there would be something like the elements or personality or something... still cool and i love that art. Thank you

 

[dave2008]

okay just visual... I was hopeing maybe there would be something like the elements or personality or something... still cool and i love that art. Thank you

Well they differently had more personality because they were actually given personalities!

I will never forgot the mother red in Dragons of Autumn Twilight.