Can we expect any new additions to the SRD in the next 12 months?

[Cergorach]

After a discussion with Psion, in one of the other threads, about the use of Epic levels in OGL/D20L products. I started looking a bit more indepth at the Epic rules included in the SRD 3.5, not only that, but also at the other additions to the 3.5 SRD (Planes and Traps). Both the Epic part and the Planes part are lacking some 'crucial' information.

Epic:
- Skills in Epic lvls
- Whole bunch of Feats
- The Epic Magic System (very important)

Planes:
- Missing the alignment related Planes (such as the Nine Hells, etc.)

The only thing that really 'hurts' is the Epic Magic System. Of course an entrerprising publisher could write it's own rules set, but if WotC releases the rules in the next twelve months, chances are, that the publisher that developed it's own rules set is going to get hurt.

Therefore my question: "Can we expect any new major additions to the SRD in the next 12 months? And, if possible, in what time frame?"

If this subject doesn't belong here, please accept my deepest appologies. Ehm... Arr matey! ;-)

 

[jmucchiello]

Planes:
- Missing the alignment related Planes (such as the Nine Hells, etc.)

Considering that the names of the planes were all named as PI in the 3.5 SRD and considering that the outsiders in the monster section of the 3.5 SRD list devils' plane of origin as "a lawful evil plane", I would put the odds at zero that the D&D cosmology, in any form, will ever be put into the SRD.

We still have hope for the Epic stuff, and D&DG, and more monsters, and stronghold builders guide, etc etc.

 

[Cergorach]

Considering that the names of the planes were all named as PI in the 3.5 SRD and considering that the outsiders in the monster section of the 3.5 SRD list devils' plane of origin as "a lawful evil plane", I would put the odds at zero that the D&D cosmology, in any form, will ever be put into the SRD.

I highly doubt that Elysium, Abyss, Nine Hells, and Gehenna can be PIed. Because before there even was a SRD 3.5 Green Ronin had already put these names in material designated OGC. As far as i know you can't PI material that's already designated OGC...

A couple of the others such as Ysgard should have appeared in one of Bastion Press's historical pantheon books (i'm not 100% sure though).

We still have hope for the Epic stuff, and D&DG, and more monsters, and stronghold builders guide, etc etc.

Hoping is fun, but any indication we'll get it anytime soon (soon being in the next year)?

 

[Grinning Loony]

Virtually all the named planes in the D&D cosmology are named after mythical/legendary realms. The Abyss, Gehenna, the Nine Hells, Ysgard, the Heavens, Elysium, Hades, Limbo, Arborea... all appear in myth and literature (and possibly some others do, too). So those names cannot really be PI, but the way the work in the D&D products can be. It's tricky, though, because the D&D versions closely mimic the legendary versions. So, a publisher who had never seen WotC's version of Ysgard, for example, could very well come up with an Ysgard neary identical to WotC's, simply by modeling the Ysagard of Celtic mythology.

-Luke Johnson

 

[Kerrick]

The only thing that really 'hurts' is the Epic Magic System. Of course an entrerprising publisher could write it's own rules set, but if WotC releases the rules in the next twelve months, chances are, that the publisher that developed it's own rules set is going to get hurt.

*snort* I don't suppose you read the threads about the ELH and the epic magic system. If you have, you'll know that vast majority of gamers consider it poorly done and a complete mess, and they would welcome the chance to use another system.

The Abyss, Gehenna, the Nine Hells, Ysgard, the Heavens, Elysium, Hades, Limbo, Arborea... all appear in myth and literature (and possibly some others do, too). So those names cannot really be PI, but the way the work in the D&D products can be.

Look closely at the SRD - the names like Gehenna, the Nine Hells, aren't PI... but stuff like "The Tarterian Depths of Carceri" is. I agree about them not being able to PI mythological names, but I'd really ask about using the non-flowery name first, just to avoid any misunderstandings.

 

[DaveStebbins]

The names of the planes are largely, perhaps even entirely, available from mythology. However, the planar wheel cosmology representation of the outer planes is WotC PI, which I don't believe they are going to release as OGC.

I believe they have even said so, though I don't have a citation handy, just my (often faulty) memory.

-Dave
Oh yeah, "arrr!" Wait, that was yesterday...

 

[Cergorach]

|-- *timeout*

Let's not get bogged down at the legal discussion about the planes. This is more about additional material for the SRD.

If Dave says that that WotC has said they won't release the outerplanes, then that's enough info for me on that subject (although if someone could get me a quote i would really appreciate it).

As for the 'fncked-up' Epic spell system, i agree that it's a bit out there and cumbersome to use. But if WotC releases the 'official' ELH magic system a month after the release of a different Epic magic system then no matter how good it is, the majority of the players/publishers will go for the 'official' rules.

Btw, could someone direct me in the direction of some of those Epic magic discussions (specifically those that contain information on what people do want instead of what they don't want)?

 

[ColonelHardisson]

*snort* I don't suppose you read the threads about the ELH and the epic magic system. If you have, you'll know that vast majority of gamers consider it poorly done and a complete mess, and they would welcome the chance to use another system.

I certainly read them, and I certainly never got the impression that the "vast majority" disliked the system. In fact, it struck me that the magic system was one of the few things praised about the book. I know that I like it, except for the sheer expense in XP and material needed to create and use one of the spells. Tone that aspect of it down, and it's an interesting system.

As for new section being added to the SRD...I hope they add more Epic and planar material (but I doubt they will), and it would be cool to see more monsters added from the MMII and the Fiend Folio (but I doubt that also). There are some interesting mechanics from the Book of Vile Darkness I'd also like to see added - Vile damage, Dark Speech - but, again, I doubt that'll happen.

The speed, or lack thereof, in getting the SRD finalized, let alone added to, doesn't bode well for a lot of additional material. I don't even know who's in charge of making sure it gets done anymore.

 

[twistnack]

I think the next thing up for addition to the sdr pool is going to be stuff from Urban Arcana for the modern sdr. I could be wrong. Best way to find out for sure would be going the to WocT boards or e-mailing Andy Smith.

 

[Kerrick]

Andy Collins' boards are where I see most of the discussions: http://pub36.ezboard.com/fgameschat19968frm2

I believe there have been a few on the House Rules forum also, though nothing recently (and I can't use the search feature to find the old ones).