Are Poisons considered Open Content?

[WizarDru]

Pardon me if this isn't the correct forum to ask, but I figured I'd start here.

Are the poisons listed in the SRD considered Open Content? I assumed by definition that they were, but it was pointed out to me by someone that they might not be. I see they are listed under the Traps section, but does that make them available in general, or only on those specific traps?

 

[Ranger REG]

Are the poisons listed in the SRD considered Open Content?

If it is in the WotC's SRDs, it's OGC.

I'm certain there are other resources for poison and poison rules (as designated OGC) can be found in d20- and OGL-based game products.

 

[Ghostwind]

The two best poison books for d20 are Pale Designs: A Poisoner's Handbook (Bastion Press) and Poisoncraft (Blue Devil Games). Both are mostly open content.

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

The two best poison books for d20 are Pale Designs: A Poisoner's Handbook (Bastion Press) and Poisoncraft (Blue Devil Games). Both are mostly open content.

Thank you, sir. Poisoncraft: The Dark Art is, indeed, about 98% open game content and includes the Codex Venenorum with 60 poisons, all OGC, including the poisons from the SRD recast using our new poison creation rules.

In answer to the initial question posed: The poisons in the SRD are OGC.

 

[WizarDru]

Thank you all for the info.

 

[HellHound]

I will also vouch for Poisoncraft - the only problem I have with it is the creation rules don't allow for variable onset times for primary and secondary damage.

It also varies from what is considered a truism of poison in my design books - that Con damage is the deadliest form of damage, and is thus more expensive than poisons that attack other stats. Fortunately, Justin included an optional rule to go back to that design methodology - the downside is that all the poisons in the book require that I retool them to work with this design.

 

[Knight Otu]

I see they are listed under the Traps section, but does that make them available in general, or only on those specific traps?

As already noted, the poisons in general are OGC. For completeness, I'd like to add that the SRD poisons can also be found in the Abilities and Conditions section/file.

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

I will also vouch for Poisoncraft - the only problem I have with it is the creation rules don't allow for variable onset times for primary and secondary damage.

It also varies from what is considered a truism of poison in my design books - that Con damage is the deadliest form of damage, and is thus more expensive than poisons that attack other stats. Fortunately, Justin included an optional rule to go back to that design methodology - the downside is that all the poisons in the book require that I retool them to work with this design.

As to the former, I agree that's not a particularly robust section of the book. It was something I toyed with but ultimately decided would be a bit of a Pandora's Box. I will point out that the Delay Poison feat can be used to accomplish the task.

As to the second, I'll fight to the death on that point. To be serious, I acknowledge that I may be in the minority on this point, but I think much of it comes down to how poison is used in the campaign. I bard about to perform in front of the king would be much more concerned about Charisma-damaging contact poison on his lute strings than something that would make him feel ill (as long as it didn't kill him, of course).