Beholders, Mind Flayers, and Strahd von Zarovich Released Into Creative Commons (Kinda)

In the 5.1 SRD that just got released into the Creative Commons is a bunch of IP including Count Strahd von Zarovich, the Feywild, the Shadowfell, the City of Brass, Palace of Dispater, Street of Steel, Gate of Ashes, and the Sea of Fire. The beholder is also specifically referenced by name in the Deck of Illusions, and Mind Flayers and Slaad are also referenced--at least by name--repeatedly in the document.

Here's a link to the content released to CC.

WotC Backs Down: Original OGL To Be Left Untouched; Whole 5E Rules Released as Creative Commons

Hundreds of game publishers sigh in relief as, after extensive pressure exerted by the entire open gaming community, WotC has agreed to leave the original Open Gaming License untouched and put the whole of the 5E rules into Creative Commons. So, what's happened? The Open Gaming Licence v1.0a...

www.enworld.org

What does that mean? Under OGL v1.0a terms like this were generally designated as ‘Product Identity’ and were unavailable for use. The CC license has no such provision. This means that those using the OGL cannot (still) use terms designated as PI, but those using the CC can use the full content of the document released under it.

Only the names of these creatures and places are contained in the document--so you can't use Strahd's image or stat block or description, nor can you use those of the beholder, etc. But it does appear that you can refer to these items.

 

[Justice and Rule]

So I can commercially publish my Mickey/Strahd gay erotica finally?

Blood and Love in the Time of Steamboats

 

[wingsandsword]

Just the names? Or any details at all?

It mentions that Strahd is a vampire, and that Mind Flayers have psychic attacks and are aberrations, that slaadi and aboleths are aberrations too.

It's not JUST the names, there's at least a few details that slipped in there too.

 

[Jer]

It just means you can use the names. You can't take a substantial part of the copyright work for your Strahd gay romance novel.

For that you have to continue to publish it psuedononymously on a website full of fanfiction, as God intended.

 

[Clint_L]

Seriously, though, I doubt this was a mistake. WotC has teams of people checking this stuff. I think they know they really stepped in it and this is kind of an olive branch.

 

[Jer]

Mind Flayers have psychic attacks and are aberrations

I mean, this is basically what Stranger Things did with their Mind Flayer.

 

[Justice and Rule]

Seriously, though, I doubt this was a mistake. WotC has teams of people checking this stuff. I think they know they really stepped in it and this is kind of an olive branch.

That or the guys they assigned to it were like "F*** it, we only get to do this once, let's toss a few gimmies in"

 

[Steampunkette]

"The Life domain focuses on the vibrant positive
energy—one of the fundamental forces of the
universe—that sustains all life. The gods of life
promote vitality and health through healing the sick and wounded, caring for those in need, and driving away the forces of death and undeath. Almost any non-evil deity can claim influence over this domain, particularly agricultural deities (such as Chauntea, Arawai, and Demeter), sun gods (such as Lathander, Pelor, and Re-Horakhty), gods of healing or endurance (such as Ilmater, Mishakal, Apollo, and Diancecht), and gods of home and community (such as Hestia, Hathor, and Boldrei)."

Have fun with your newly CC'd deities!

Ho. Lee. Crap.

 

[Incenjucar]

Really it just means WotC needs to come up with some fresh new ideas instead of leaning on things older than most of their audience and many of their designers.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Seriously, though, I doubt this was a mistake. WotC has teams of people checking this stuff. I think they know they really stepped in it and this is kind of an olive branch.

Or intentionally making sure that the anti-open gaming faction will have a harder time of it next time this fight comes up (hopefully not for another generation).

 

[Haplo781]

Really it just means WotC needs to come up with some fresh new ideas instead of leaning on things older than most of their audience and many of their designers.

Get ready for Phyrexians and Eldrazi.