Mystara fans, please read.

[Dahak]

A somewhat disturbing development concerning who apparently has the liscence for the Mystara setting can be found in the following thread...

http://www.enworld.org/messageboards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1206&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

While I in no way advocate flaming Kenzer & Co. in any way (they have been a great bunch of guys and gals in my dealings with them, and have been honest and forthcoming), I do suggest that if you are a fan/gamer of this setting that you let them know.

Mystara may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly has a level of interest in it that exceeds the majority of 3rd party D20 settings. I feel the license should either be utilized by the holder (if possible), or they should work with WotC to allow the properties to be purchased/liscenced out to someone who will release material for it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Are you talking about the B1 & B2 modules?

Um. I dunno man. I love Mystra (good, cheesy fun) but B1 & B2 aren't exactly Glantri. I'm not even sure if they were originally supposed to be in the Grand Duchy of Karmikos. I can dig out my c. 1980 copy of B2 though if you want to verify this.

 

[Talaysen]

Ummm...are you aware of the fact that Mystara has an official fan site, comparable to "Secrets of the Kargatane" (which handled that setting from the moment it was suspended to the moment Arthaus took it on)? Someone *other* than KenzerCo is already authorized to update the setting; if they're not following through on that, I'd recommend taking it up with them.

I'd also point out this exchange:

"<<Do you really have the Mystara rights?>>

"Our license does include Mystara."

And this:

"I don't think we are squatting on the Mystara properties. I don't know for certain, but I would guess WOTC would let anyone with enough cash go ahead and buy a d20 license to the trademark like WW did with Ravenloft.

"If we were to do anything with Mystara, it would be in the same vein humorous HackMaster vein as "Robinloft" will be. So just for fun and assuming there was no chance of a d20 version, how many of you would actually buy a "Mystara" product for the HackMaster game?"

This implies, to me, that KenzerCo has the rights to Mystara ONLY when it comes to HackMaster-related material, and would not stand in the way of any third party who wanted to recreate the setting under the d20 System. Really not worth fussing over.

Now...if you'll excuse me...I got an e-mail to write. I distinctly told these guys I wanted to work on "Robinloft," and I hadn't heard a thing about firm plans in that regard...

 

[Kesh]

From that thread (emphasis mine):

I assume you are referring to the HackMaster products. Unfortunately, none of that stuff will be OGL/d20/open content. Our license extends only to making "HackMaster" products. But if you want to use it for a d20 campaign, it's pretty similar stuff...branches from the same trunk so to speak.

regrads,

Dave

I'd say Mystara d20 is still a viable option then.

 

[Dahak]

Yes, my overreaction. It specifically applies to Hackmaster, by Dave's word.