D&D 5E Dragonlance book (180 pages) for players & DMs coming December 6!

[Splinterverse]

Absolutely generous for ya to do something like that and the price itself for the PDF is a flipping steal! Consider me a happy customer once Dec 6th gets here!

Thank you. Yes, we aim to keep our prices for all of our books affordable. We know it is costly to keep up with all the great options out there, and we want to make sure we are offering quality at a reasonable price.

 

[Splinterverse]

DAY 6 spoilers are up . . .

and

 

[Velderan]

It will be but not at launch due to the amount of time it takes to prepare the files on the printer's side and the print proof process. I'd expect within about a month of launch, it will be available. That said, if you choose to purchase the digital edition before the hardcover comes out, just email me your receipt or screen cap of proof of purchase, and I'll send you a discount to get the hardcover at essentially what the cost would've been if you had bought the digital + hardcover bundle. That way you can use it day one digitally and then get the POD without incurring more cost than you would have if POD+digital had been available day 1.

I'm ignorant to how DM's Guild works for publishers wishing to have a POD option for their product. Will there be hardcover and softcover options? Not sure if that's a different process on your end.

 

[Splinterverse]

I'm ignorant to how DM's Guild works for publishers wishing to have a POD option for their product. Will there be hardcover and softcover options? Not sure if that's a different process on your end.

Hey there! Unlike DriveThruRPG, creators on DM's Guild are limited on whether they can offer POD. You have to have at least a Gold bestselling title to submit your title for POD. Once you've met that requirement, you can publish hardcover or softcover or both as well as paper type variations (premium color vs. standard color).

In our experience, there isn't a detectable difference between the premium and standard color. (Our research also shows that the difference between them would be more noticeable when publishing a coffee table book of photos or something along those lines.) Premium color is also much more expensive, which means the customer price would have to go up. Since there isn't a noticeable difference with premium and it would cause the customer cost to raise, we plan to only offer standard color.

As for hardcover or softcover, we have historically offered one or both options. For this one, we're only planning hardcover at this time, mostly due to its size (180 pages). If there's enough interest in softcover though, we might add that later on.

 

[Velderan]

Hey there! Unlike DriveThruRPG, creators on DM's Guild are limited on whether they can offer POD. You have to have at least a Gold bestselling title to submit your title for POD. Once you've met that requirement, you can publish hardcover or softcover or both as well as paper type variations (premium color vs. standard color).

In our experience, there isn't a detectable difference between the premium and standard color. (Our research also shows that the difference between them would be more noticeable when publishing a coffee table book of photos or something along those lines.) Premium color is also much more expensive, which means the customer price would have to go up. Since there isn't a noticeable difference with premium and it would cause the customer cost to raise, we plan to only offer standard color.

As for hardcover or softcover, we have historically offered one or both options. For this one, we're only planning hardcover at this time, mostly due to its size (180 pages). If there's enough interest in softcover though, we might add that later on.

Appreciate the insight into how DM's Guild selects who can offer POD. Good to hear it is in the plans, I'll definitely buy the PDF next week. I was hoping for a hardcover print option so happy to hear that's the plan.

 

[Splinterverse]

Appreciate the insight into how DM's Guild selects who can offer POD. Good to hear it is in the plans, I'll definitely buy the PDF next week. I was hoping for a hardcover print option so happy to hear that's the plan.

Sounds great! Thank you!!

 

[dave2008]

Sure. Here's an image of the credits section. A number of the designers have worked on Splinterverse Media titles previously, but many have other DM's Guild or OGL (such as DriveThruRPG) titles to their names as well.

The image is from the digital version, which is hyperlinked throughout. The hyperlinks here take you to sites provided by the creators to give you more information on their work.

View attachment 268565

I notice your credits note Weis and the Hickman's as designers of Dragonlance. Why not Grub, the artists or any of the other people you worked to make the setting what it is?

 

[dave2008]

NO offense intended...BUT...

If someone wants a more traditional DL rules thing, I think the fallback would be Tasselhoffs Pouches of Everything.

I had to look it up, and was sad to see you are promoting an illegal book with stolen art.

On a better note, I guess they can release it on the Guild soon, if they take care of the art problem

EDIT: @GreyLord, it appears I may have been mistaken as according to @Dire Bare the authors may have a special license from WotC.

 

[dave2008]

Any chance you will have stats for Takhisis and Paladine. If you need it, here is my take on: Takhisis

 

[GreyLord]

I had to look it up, and was sad to see you are promoting an illegal book with stolen art.

On a better note, I guess they can release it on the Guild soon, if they take care of the art problem

I didn't realize it was an illegal book with stolen art considering some of those who were involved with it.

Though, now thinking on it more deeply, I guess it depends on who owned the art. Did they use any from the DCLS itself, or was it from other products instead?

 

[dave2008]

I didn't realize it was an illegal book with stolen art considering some of those who were involved with it.

Though, now thinking on it more deeply, I guess it depends on who owned the art. Did they use any from the DCLS itself, or was it from other products instead?

They are using 5e trade dress and WotC IP. Since this is not a Guild product that makes it illegal (though that could change on 12/6). As far as I can tell none of the art was made for this book, they just grabbed art from other products or the internet. I seriously doubt any of the artist gave permission for this art to be used, but I could be wrong

 

[Splinterverse]

They are using 5e trade dress and WotC IP. Since this is not a Guild product that makes it illegal (though that could change on 12/6). As far as I can tell none of the art was made for this book, they just grabbed art from other products or the internet. I seriously doubt any of the artist gave permission for this art to be used, but I could be wrong

I want to be clear that the Tasselhoff's book is not being published by us. That said, I do follow the publishers on social media. From what I understand, they have gone out and commissioned art for a planned DM's Guild release also on Dec. 6.

 

[Splinterverse]

I notice your credits note Weis and the Hickman's as designers of Dragonlance. Why not Grub, the artists or any of the other people you worked to make the setting what it is?

We are thankful to everyone who has worked on Dragonlance in the past. Space is at a premium on our credits page (the screenshot just showed a portion of it), but we do have a general statement elsewhere on the page thanking those who worked on past editions, especially since we do include some converted material.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I had to look it up, and was sad to see you are promoting an illegal book with stolen art.

On a better note, I guess they can release it on the Guild soon, if they take care of the art problem

They are using 5e trade dress and WotC IP. Since this is not a Guild product that makes it illegal (though that could change on 12/6). As far as I can tell none of the art was made for this book, they just grabbed art from other products or the internet. I seriously doubt any of the artist gave permission for this art to be used, but I could be wrong

The book was offered free of charge when it was released. That's not illegal.

 

[mamba]

They are using 5e trade dress and WotC IP. Since this is not a Guild product that makes it illegal (though that could change on 12/6). As far as I can tell none of the art was made for this book, they just grabbed art from other products or the internet. I seriously doubt any of the artist gave permission for this art to be used, but I could be wrong

Some of the art was definitely made for the book, at a minimum the draconians and the cover. No idea about all art, at a minimum I assume they had permission.

As to it being illegal, no it is not, as long as they offer it for free they are good.

 

[dave2008]

Some of the art was definitely made for the book, at a minimum the draconians and the cover. No idea about all art, at a minimum I assume they had permission.

Definitely not all of the draconian art and there is classic elmore art in there (not even from dragonlance) among others

As to it being illegal, no it is not, as long as they offer it for free they are good.

That is a common misconception. Just because it is free, does not allow you to use another's IP and trade dress. That being said - a lot of people do it (including myself). However, it is still illegal.

 

[dave2008]

The book was offered free of charge when it was released. That's not illegal.

Yes it is. It being free doesn't change the fact that they are illegally using another's IP and trade dress. However, a lot of people do it as I noted in my post above this one. I get more riled up by the art theft personally - but it is still illegal.

PS There was a big discussion on this issue, on this forum, a few years ago. The local lawyers confirmed it is illegal even if you offer it for free. I was on your side then, but I was wrong.

 

[mamba]

Definitely not all of the draconian art and there is classic elmore art in there (not even from dragonlance) among others

That is a common misconception. Just because it is free, does not allow you to use another's IP and trade dress. That being said - a lot of people do it (including myself). However, it is still illegal.

Not sure where fair use / fanfiction begins, from my understanding the guys creating it were involved in the 3e DL modules / supplements, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt here

Not sure there is Elmore art (ie have not taken a look recently and do not recall it), but would not rule out them having permission immediately either.

Maybe they will chime in, they are on this site too

 

[dave2008]

Not sure where fair use / famfiction begins, from my understanding the guys creating it were involved in the 3e DL modules / supplements, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt here

Not sure there is Elmore art (ie have not taken a look recently and do not recall it), but would not rule out them having permission immediately either.

Maybe they will chime in, they are on this site too

According to Splinterverse (in this post) the authors are commission art to repalce the illegal art so they can release it on DM's guild. I kinda think that proves my point.

Of note, if they do release it on DMsGuild, they will need to remove it from whatever site they have it posted for free (per DM's Guild requirements).

PS The Elmore art "Dragon Slayers" is in the book, fairly early. I am not sure who has the copyright on it, but normally it would be TSR/WotC. That is also not the only, non original, art.

I just looked again and there is other suspect art, but it is honestly not as much as I thought. I imagine they can get this cleaned up for the guild without much effort.

 

[dave2008]

We are thankful to everyone who has worked on Dragonlance in the past. Space is at a premium on our credits page (the screenshot just showed a portion of it), but we do have a general statement elsewhere on the page thanking those who worked on past editions, especially since we do include some converted material.

PS I think this book looks interesting, I wish you luck and thank you for sharing all of the previews!