Look at me... I'm a dodo.

[jgbrowning]

hate to admit it but seems i've painted myself in a corner and need some of ya'lls advice.

i'm working on a d20 book with some city information in it and i'm basing the ideas and concepts around the demographics section in the DMG.. the part with large town, small city, metropolis, power centers, and character levels in cities. I've just now noticed that that's not in the SRD.

If im understanding properly i can use the information, ala seven cities but i cant reprint the charts or take the charts and modifiy them. I'd like it if i was wrong about that, ie. that i could reprint the charts and modify them, but i fear im not.

Could some one please tell me who at wizards i should speak with to try and get permission *cross fingers* to use the information in that section?

thanks,

joe b.

 

[davewoodrum]

You know, I know this is probably the advice you really could care less to hear... but I would just make my cities and all from scratch using historical info. rather than scoping around the DM's guide. I know you prefer to stick with the standard but that is just a fantasy standard and in the end, you could instead do a more fleshed out product showing variants for different city culture types... and how even the populations would vary...
example Americana-Mayan settlement values, Western European settlement values, Asian settlement values, etc..

well, this naturally wouldn't be a great idea if you were sticking only with a set cultural theme for the whole book...

 

[caudor]

I don't have any contacts for you, but I will share what type of city book would be useful to me. Here's an example:

Wednesday night, our group decides to get together and play on the weekend. Not having much time for preparation, I browse through my horde of pre-made adventures and Dungeon magazines. I settle on an adventure that looks fun and easy to prepare, but it starts out in a village that is not fleshed out.

I would love to have an assortment of fantasy thorps, villages, and towns that are mapped and fleshed out in such a way that I can plug it right in with little effort. I'd prefer more of the smaller...like thorps and villages rather than larger towns & cities.

If your work is anything like this, I can't wait to get my hands on it. Anyway, I wish you good fortune on your development efforts.

 

[jgbrowning]

You know, I know this is probably the advice you really could care less to hear... but I would just make my cities and all from scratch using historical info. rather than scoping around the DM's guide. I know you prefer to stick with the standard but that is just a fantasy standard and in the end, you could instead do a more fleshed out product showing variants for different city culture types... and how even the populations would vary...
example Americana-Mayan settlement values, Western European settlement values, Asian settlement values, etc..

well, this naturally wouldn't be a great idea if you were sticking only with a set cultural theme for the whole book...

Yep, it sounds interesting, but i'm sticking to a set cultural theme. I could change the demographics distribution based upon the sizes of the cities, but im not sure if that would add any value. thanks for the reply though, it would make a good stand alone product.

joe b.

 

[jgbrowning]

I don't have any contacts for you, but I will share what type of city book would be useful to me. Here's an example:

Wednesday night, our group decides to get together and play on the weekend. Not having much time for preparation, I browse through my horde of pre-made adventures and Dungeon magazines. I settle on an adventure that looks fun and easy to prepare, but it starts out in a village that is not fleshed out.

I would love to have an assortment of fantasy thorps, villages, and towns that are mapped and fleshed out in such a way that I can plug it right in with little effort. I'd prefer more of the smaller...like thorps and villages rather than larger towns & cities.

If your work is anything like this, I can't wait to get my hands on it. Anyway, I wish you good fortune on your development efforts.

check out atlas games' seven cities. it would probably do what you want it to do. and its good to boot!

joe b.

 

[jmucchiello]

Lots of 3rd party pubs have used the results of those DMG charts in their products but if you want to expand on things like the community modifier, you are SOL. I was quite disappointed when I discovered that there really isn't a standard "stat blocK" for cities, too.

Joe

 

[Mynex]

Could some one please tell me who at wizards i should speak with to try and get permission *cross fingers* to use the information in that section?

thanks,

joe b.

Anthony Valterra. He's your man.

Expect to jump through lots of hoops, (not necessarily his either) and take a bit of time _if_ permission can be obtained. But he can let you know one way or the other.

If you can't track down his email, get a hold of me off boards and I'll play relay for the 1st contact, then all you (I'm not going to give out his email without his permisson mind, that's why).

 

[jgbrowning]

Re: Re: Look at me... I'm a dodo.

Anthony Valterra. He's your man.

Expect to jump through lots of hoops, (not necessarily his either) and take a bit of time _if_ permission can be obtained. But he can let you know one way or the other.

If you can't track down his email, get a hold of me off boards and I'll play relay for the 1st contact, then all you (I'm not going to give out his email without his permisson mind, that's why).

thanks, i already have his e-mail, having spoken to him once. i was just wanting to be certain i understood that i needed to contact him before i did, as im sure he's rather busy.

joe b.

 

[jgbrowning]

Lots of 3rd party pubs have used the results of those DMG charts in their products but if you want to expand on things like the community modifier, you are SOL. I was quite disappointed when I discovered that there really isn't a standard "stat blocK" for cities, too.

Joe

by this do to mean i cannot do something like this.. (the numbers aren't actual, just examples)

city size:large metropolis
population: 50,000-100,000
community modifier: +15 (roll five times)
GP value: 20,00gp

or do you mean using the community modifiers in the DMG as determining factors in other charts. such as

chance to find an *blank*in Ysize city = X% + Ycommunity modifier
(would the above work were i to not call the community modifier the community modifier, but instead the "community incidence" or some such?

thanks for your time,

joe b.

 

[jmucchiello]

by this do to mean i cannot do something like this.. (the numbers aren't actual, just examples)

I assume "do to mean" should be "do you mean" which refers to me....

city size:large metropolis
population: 50,000-100,000
community modifier: +15 (roll five times) -- No one includes this that I'm aware of
GP value: 20,00gp

or do you mean using the community modifiers in the DMG as determining factors in other charts. such as

chance to find an *blank*in Ysize city = X% + Ycommunity modifier -- Yes, this is what I assumed you wanted to do? If it is, I think you are out of luck unless you can get AVs permission.

(would the above work were i to not call the community modifier the community modifier, but instead the "community incidence" or some such?

That is a lawyer question. Up until this point I've only been discussing what others have done and what I'm guessing you want to do. While I doubt you'd find an IP lawyer who would tell you that is safe, I also think you rn the risk of confusing your readers.