Using non SRD monsters in conversions

[johnsemlak]

When doing a conversion of a module, are you allowed to refered to non SRD monsters in any 3.0/3.5 book (like MMII)

I was thinking of doing a conversion of X1, which contains the Kopru found in 3e's MMII

 

[Grazzt]

I am thinking that AV (Anthony Valterra) said at one time you could use monsters from "closed" (read non OGL/SRD books), but you could only do something like this:

Kopru: see MM II, page xx (whatever page they are on).

Not sure though...

Anyway- here is the "official" passage from the Conversion Guidelines (which says nothing about the stuff I mentioned above) along with AV's explanation:

>> Conversions must be performed using the System Reference Document (SRD), created for OGL users, for purposes of establishing 3E mechanics in the respective materials. <<

"This is standard for all OGL and d20 products. You must use the SRD. Please note that the SRD currently includes the three core books and Psionics. As time goes on, it will continue to expand."

 

[johnsemlak]

Anyway- here is the "official" passage from the Conversion Guidelines (which says nothing about the stuff I mentioned above) along with AV's explanation:

>> Conversions must be performed using the System Reference Document (SRD), created for OGL users, for purposes of establishing 3E mechanics in the respective materials. <<

"This is standard for all OGL and d20 products. You must use the SRD. Please note that the SRD currently includes the three core books and Psionics. As time goes on, it will continue to expand."

ugh

That doesn't really leave any options for converting X1 then, does it.

 

[Grazzt]

ugh

That doesn't really leave any options for converting X1 then, does it.

You could check out some of the other conversions in the Conversion Library that you know contain monsters not found in the SRD and follow their format.

I am guessing that you would just have to do your own version of the kopru from the info contained in the module if you can't make a "footnote" about it being in MM2.

 

[RedShirtNo5]

I knew it was around somewhere:

http://www.enworld.org/modules.php?...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=22&page=2

-RedShirt

 

[Grazzt]

I knew it was around somewhere:

http://www.enworld.org/modules.php?...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=22&page=2

-RedShirt

I knew I had seen that somewhere. Thanks RedShirt!

Here's the relevant parts to answer the question originally posted above (but follow RedShirt's link and read the whole thing):


1a) A creature such as a Bullywug is used in an old 1st edition TSR Paper Product. Which of the following options is legal in a conversion?

Rename them "Frog-men" or some such, and convert their stats by hand. Legal.

Call them "Bullywugs", cite their copyright source and convert their stats by hand. Legal.

Call them Bullywugs, cite their copyright source, and use the stats that are listed in the copyright source. Not Legal.

Call them Bullywugs, and cite their copyright source. Period. Legal.

1b) If a 3e version of a monster/item/etc already exists, must I use that version, or may I perform a custom conversion?

You may create a custom conversion but we would prefer that you did not. This would be edging close to "rewriting rather than converting".

2) When converting monsters how much can be converted? Many 2nd edition monster sources had useful ecology, society, and description sections. If the references to WotC named settings, characters etc. were removed could the rest be converted/rewritten?

Rules only. however, you may include text that is germaine to the use of the rules (creature X always attacks with breathe weapon first and then uses claw and bite attack, etc.) But no lifiting ecology material such as "creature X lives in ecological harmony with its environment. It often burys its droppings thus fertilizing local flora."

 

[RedShirtNo5]

Also, as Grazzt indicated, you can reference a non-OGC product -

6) Can I refer to a monster or other item in a non-OGC WotC product (such as Monsters of Faerun?)
Yes. It would be a problem in a completely OGL document. But in this case we have said you must state that all proper names are copyright us, so therefore it is okay. So, yes, you may use a reference such as "Stinger (hp: 30), See MONSTER COMPENDIUM: Monsters of Faerun pp. 80-81."

Combined with

1b) If a 3e version of a monster/item/etc already exists, must I use that version, or may I perform a custom conversion?
You may create a custom conversion but we would prefer that you did not. This would be edging close to "rewriting rather than converting".

the upshot is that they "prefer" the use of the short reference format "Kopru (hp:__), see Monster Manual 2, p. __", but you "may" perform your own custom conversion.

-RedShirt

 

[johnsemlak]

Thanks everyone . That pretty much answers it for now. Now to get to work on the conversion