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.

 

[Charlaquin]

Didn't 3E's Lords of Madness make the illithid creatures from the end of time who travelled back to the present? Or was that the aboleths?

That was Illithid, yeah

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Also Also:

If Alta Fox hadn't said anything between November and January 26th because the SEC put the fear of God into them, why'd they open their mouth on the 26th?

Did the SEC say "You can publicly badmouth WotC -after- the 25th at 11:59pm." and they just sat in the timeout corner like agreeable little boys until that hilariously arbitrary date?

No. They were in "Wait and See" mode. Just like everyone else.

I'm fine with Alta Fox pouncing now that they smell blood, should be interesting.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm fine with Alta Fox pouncing now that they smell blood, should be interesting.

I'm not sure activist investors have ever improved things for anyone but other investors.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Isn't he a cheeky one. Clearly on team save the OGL 1.0a.

 

[Steampunkette]

Their only goal is to make more money for their investors. They've got an explicitly fiduciary responsibility to do so.

If they burn WotC to the ground in 3 years they don't care, so long as they can make a buck.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Their only goal is to make more money for their investors. They've got an explicitly fiduciary responsibility to do so.

If they burn WotC to the ground in 3 years they don't care, so long as they can make a buck.

Your doing alot of projecting.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Anyways if they do a proper 4e SRD it could mean both Eldarin and Warlord end up under the OGL 1.0a and CC.

 

[Steampunkette]

Your doing alot of projecting.

Do you understand how investment companies work?

You give them money and they invest it on your behalf in the manner that they deem will have the greatest return to the lowest risk. They have a fiduciary responsibility to protect your money and make more money on your behalf. Contractually speaking. Like a -legal- responsibility and they could be fined, lose their practice, or even wind up in prison if they mess up real good.

That's not projecting. That's just how it works.

And thanks to the myth of infinite growth... if a company isn't performing better every quarter, every year, forever, it's "Underperforming" and needs the "Fat Trimmed" or whatever other short-sighted maneuver will net a slightly fatter margin next quarter. Because that is the only metric in the fiduciary scheme.

Did you lose money? Did you gain money? How nice the books look or how happy the fans are doesn't enter into it.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I wouldn't mind specialty priests from 2e getting the SRD treatment.

 

[teitan]

Maybe shhhh until things are official.

It’s official but they are not released into the CC because the CC still provides for trademarks.