4e D&D GSL Live

[Tao]

Is "Warrior's Surge" listed in the SRD? I'd say if it is, you can't include it. If it isn't, then it's subsumed under "Orc", and if you update any part of "Orc", you can reprint the entirety of the reference.

It is my understanding that you could, in fact, include it regardless, due to the fact that the applied mechanical results of racial traits for the individual races on pages 276-279 are permissible according to the SRD (pg 3).

In other words, you could not write "Orcs have the following ability:", but you could write "The orc crusher can..."


This is something I plan on asking for verification on before I publish, just to be sure... however, that is my interpretation of that phrasing.

 

[Terramotus]

How about creating your own warlock class, and not including it, then directing people to that class as per the suggestion on Humans above.

That is utterly ridiculous. I'm not going to design an entire new class from the ground up because I want one of its powers to work differently, or to not allow a certain group of powers. And I couldn't copy any powers, or I'd violate the license in other ways.

No, I'm not going to invent a whole new race just because I want to change a minor aspect, or invent a whole new class if I want to change a minor aspect. I'm just not going to participate.

I'm in love with the 4E rules, but this really sours me on the whole thing. I'm not sure what I'll do at this point.

 

[Ourph]

That is utterly ridiculous. I'm not going to design an entire new class from the ground up because I want one of its powers to work differently

Why would you need to do that? If you want a power to work differently, write up the power the way you want it to work, give it a different name and stick it in your product as a new power for Warlocks. Am I missing something?

 

[TimeOut]

Why would you need to do that? If you want a power to work differently, write up the power the way you want it to work, give it a different name and stick it in your product as a new power for Warlocks. Am I missing something?

Yes. What stops people from using the "old" power? Nothing, which seems to be the intent of the GSL.

My campaign world has no Gods, so no Divine power source. As far as I understand the GSL doesn't allow me to exclude these things.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Yes. What stops people from using the "old" power? Nothing, which seems to be the intent of the GSL.

My campaign world has no Gods, so no Divine power source. As far as I understand the GSL doesn't allow me to exclude these things.

In reading it over, I can see no reason why you could not simply mention the no gods aspect as an element of fluff and then never bring up clerics in the text. Same with dragonborn and tieflings.

 

[JoeGKushner]

And the bad press of the attempt would create far too much ill will in exactly the people they count on buying their product.

Hagen Daiz versus Ben and Jerry's eh? (B & J won that one.)

 

[TimeOut]

In reading it over, I can see no reason why you could not simply mention the no gods aspect as an element of fluff and then never bring up clerics in the text. Same with dragonborn and tieflings.

Sure. That is said in the FAQ too. I am not forced to include a 4e Reference. But I can't exclude it either, only omit it in the description and hope that players don't try to use the classes.

 

[eyebeams]

Can't wait to see the explanations/clarifications/apologies from Scott on all of this.

Reading blogs from WotCers, the ideological justification seems to be that we were all Bad People who didn't just make adventures and critters to support the core rules like we were supposed to, so they had to take it away.

Y'know? So be it. They're not obligated to give away stuff. It's neither right nor wrong. What's wrong are the sections that appear to recruit third parties to rat on each other for possible IP violations and impinge on the kind of fair use I think is vital to a fan community.

 

[Tao]

This is a pretty conclusive list, but the subsequent discussion had quite a bit of misinformation spattered in. I'll respond to the best of my understanding.

Is Morrus's "fan creation of the week" compliant with the new GSL?

This will fall under the (to be released) fan site policy

Release a classbook with DRUID, BARBARIAN, BARD, MONK, etc?

Yes. If those terms are later added to the GSL, there would be a conflict and the product would likely have to be taken off of the shelves (Consult a lawyer for verification if you plan on doing this).

Release a standalone module for use by itself without reference? What if EVERY creature I use has at least one +1 level to it?

Yes.

Release a DUNGEON Magazine type product to compete with the online product from WOTC?

Yes, as long as it is a .PDF (this is actually my publishing plan).

Release a class splatbook with all new powers you can use "instead" of the existing powers in the Core Rules (Daily, Encounter, At Will)?

Yes. Including the use of the format used in official WotC products.

Release a book of feats?

Yes.

Release a book of magic items?

Yes. Including the use of the format used in official WotC products.

Release of book of "common" treasures?

Absolutely.

Release a monster book with every monster statted out for every level? Goblin 1, Goblin 2, Goblin 3...Goblin 30

Yes, provided you don't reproduce abilities not expressly permitted. For any of the nonstandard races given in the back of the MM, you could do this with the appropriate racial traits included (without reference). And a very cool idea at that.

Is there a way you could do something similiar to Arcana Unearthed any longer?

Somewhat tricky. This is one I would suggest talking to a lawyer about. It would have to be done carefully to avoid "redefinition" issues, and you couldn't change or tweak the combat system. Probably best to develop a new system for something this different or wait for the d20 SRD.

Is there ANY way you could do something like Conan, simply without referencing the experience/advancement, but with all new classes, powers, abilities, feats, etc. (all low magic themed).

Don't know if this is the best system for it, but I suppose you could. Again, you couldn't change or tweak the combat system.

Can you do Star Wars? (or Star Warriors to avoid OGL issues) or Spycraft, or Superheroes?

Star Wars Saga is actually better than any 4e conversion is likely to be. For the others, you'll probably want to wait for the d20 SRD.

Can you create rules content and support for things that don't exist? How to handle large scale wars, empire building, running a kingdom, running a business, forming and leading an organization or guild, the game effects of a catastrophe?

Yup. Without a doubt.

Can you create new tools or new ways for characters to get powers beyond those from their race, class, feats, and magic items? For example, visiting a static location, or as a benefit for being part of an organization, or for pledging allegiance to a diety...

Sure. Obviously... watch for balance issues.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Why would you need to do that? If you want a power to work differently, write up the power the way you want it to work, give it a different name and stick it in your product as a new power for Warlocks. Am I missing something?

Apparently so. He wants to change a power, not add an alternative. That's against the terms of the GSL.

Timeout - Yep and I'm rather concerned that WotC's inclusionist attitude means even when the redo the old settings they'll force all that junk into them, no matter how inappropriate.

You really should be able to say "There are no Clerics in the world of X".