Publishing an Adventure? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Publishing an Adventure? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM-Scott
03-22-07, 10:21 AM I've been playing D&D for years, and I would like to begin writing adventures and scenarios for players and DMs to enjoy, and publish them (probably with www.rpgnow.com).

But the main thing that's kept me from doing this before is I apparently am not very good with Legalese (at least I'm unsure of myself in the area), and I don't want to make any mistakes or infringe on someone's rights.

I've noticed it seems that many of the people on this board really seem to understand some of the finer aspects of the OGL and the D20 license. I'm currently wading through the FAQs and other technical information, but I thought someone on this board may be able to answer some questions or point me in the right direction.

-----

I'm not planning on writing anything as complicated as a new d20 RPG or a supplemental book for the d20 system, but I do want to write adventures for players and DMs, and publish them on the internet.

I want the adventures to comply with the rules and guidlines of the D20 D&D 3.5e Game. Specifically, I would like to be able to list things such as creature CR, encounter levels, etc. If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right?

Perhaps think of the Red Hand of Doom and how it is written (with refferences to the MM, DMG, and listing encounter levels and challenge ratings), and that's about how I want to write my adventures - bold, easy to understand, and detailed - completely functioning with the system.

What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?)

What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?)

Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?)

I'm having a bit of trouble determining if my adventures could be easily plagarised, and I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice as to protecting my written content, and so forth.

Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.)

-----

It should probably be noted that do to financial concerns, I'm trying to make sure I heavily understand what I'm doing before trying to contact a lawyer to have them explain it to me. :bigeyes:
Ranger REG
03-23-07, 12:05 AM SEE MY DISCLAIMER BELOW...
I'm not planning on writing anything as complicated as a new d20 RPG or a supplemental book for the d20 system, but I do want to write adventures for players and DMs, and publish them on the internet.

I want the adventures to comply with the rules and guidlines of the D20 D&D 3.5e Game. Specifically, I would like to be able to list things such as creature CR, encounter levels, etc. If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right?
Well, I have never read of an adventure that explains the CR and EL system.

You can offer any relevant stats/values to the adventure and the game, be it AC, CR, SR, EL, etc.

Perhaps think of the Red Hand of Doom and how it is written (with refferences to the MM, DMG, and listing encounter levels and challenge ratings), and that's about how I want to write my adventures - bold, easy to understand, and detailed - completely functioning with the system.

What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?)
If you want to cite references on WotC's publications, you'll need the d20 System Trademark License. Even so, there are only a few body of works you can cite (read the accompanying Trademark Usage Guide).

What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?)
Avoid using WotC's books when writing the adventures. Lock them away and just use the SRD. When you're editing it, you can decide if you need to cut certain text down because the allowed WotC's books already have it.

Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?)
Sorry, "mind flayer" is one of WotC's Product Identity.

Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.)
You don't necessarily need original OGC to meet the minimum 5%. You can count OGC from the SRD to meet the minimum 5%.

You have a choice if you're contributing any original (non-derivative) gaming content as OGC or not.
spyone
03-23-07, 12:35 AM I've noticed it seems that many of the people on this board really seem to understand some of the finer aspects of the OGL and the D20 license. I'm currently wading through the FAQs and other technical information, but I thought someone on this board may be able to answer some questions or point me in the right direction. I'll gladly share my opinions, but I would first like to share a bit of advice. Someone else said it (I can't recall exactly who), and I thought it was quite good. Paraphrased: Hire a lawyer. If you don't think you are going to make enough money off your adventure(s) to pay for that lawyer, think long and hard about whether you want to publish them at all then. Because making a mistake that a laywer could have easilly prevented can cost you many times what that lawyer would cost.

And Ranger REG and I are no substitute for a lawyer, if for no other reasons than that we cannot be sued for malpractice if it turns out our advice is bad. :)

If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right?
That is my understanding: you can say this critter has a CR of 8, but not explain how that was calculated.

What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?)I believe the OGL is all you would need, though you may find other things (like the d20 license) handy.
What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?)
Don't use Product Identity. Don't use the names of characters Wizards uses, for instance.
In fact, put you PHB and DMG away, and print out a copy of the SRD to use as reference. Remember: if it isn't in the SRD, you (probably) aren't allowed to use it.

Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?)My understanding is that you are limited to SRD monsters (or monsters you create yourself, of course). I am unsure if it might be ok to refer to a "Mind Flayer", so I would avoid it. If you really want to include an Illithid in your adventure, at least write to Wizard's legal guys to ask what kind of reference would be acceptable (it might be okay to use the name as say to look it up in the Monster Manual if you use the d20 license, or maybe they want you to simply give the page number and call it the MM, or maybe they simply won't allow it. I don't know.)

I'm having a bit of trouble determining if my adventures could be easily plagarised, and I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice as to protecting my written content, and so forth.
I'm guessing it probably would be fairly easy to rip off your ideas and get away with it, but you could protect yourself somewhat by making stuff like your maps Product Identity. Then, they can't just steal your maps. Beyond making it Product Identity and suggesting the use of "watermarked" PDFs, I don't really have any ideas on how to protect yourself.

Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.)
As I understand it, the 5% requirement is that 5% of the Open Content in your work be new material that has not previously appeared elsewhere. So, for every 19 feats you reprint from the SRD, you'd have to add one of your own.
IIRC, word count is the usual measure for that purpose, really.

It should probably be noted that do to financial concerns, I'm trying to make sure I heavily understand what I'm doing before trying to contact a lawyer to have them explain it to me. :bigeyes:
Good boy.
As I have said elsewhere, it is going to go easier with the lawyer if your question is "does this say what I think this says?" instead of "explain this to me".
You should ask us as many questions as you can think of, then go see the lawyer and say, "Here's what I think these licenses will allow me to do, and I need you to tell me if I'm right."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM-Scott 03-22-07, 10:21 AM	I've been playing D&D for years, and I would like to begin writing adventures and scenarios for players and DMs to enjoy, and publish them (probably with www.rpgnow.com). But the main thing that's kept me from doing this before is I apparently am not very good with Legalese (at least I'm unsure of myself in the area), and I don't want to make any mistakes or infringe on someone's rights. I've noticed it seems that many of the people on this board really seem to understand some of the finer aspects of the OGL and the D20 license. I'm currently wading through the FAQs and other technical information, but I thought someone on this board may be able to answer some questions or point me in the right direction. ----- I'm not planning on writing anything as complicated as a new d20 RPG or a supplemental book for the d20 system, but I do want to write adventures for players and DMs, and publish them on the internet. I want the adventures to comply with the rules and guidlines of the D20 D&D 3.5e Game. Specifically, I would like to be able to list things such as creature CR, encounter levels, etc. If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right? Perhaps think of the Red Hand of Doom and how it is written (with refferences to the MM, DMG, and listing encounter levels and challenge ratings), and that's about how I want to write my adventures - bold, easy to understand, and detailed - completely functioning with the system. What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?) What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?) Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?) I'm having a bit of trouble determining if my adventures could be easily plagarised, and I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice as to protecting my written content, and so forth. Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.) ----- It should probably be noted that do to financial concerns, I'm trying to make sure I heavily understand what I'm doing before trying to contact a lawyer to have them explain it to me. :bigeyes:
Ranger REG 03-23-07, 12:05 AM	SEE MY DISCLAIMER BELOW... I'm not planning on writing anything as complicated as a new d20 RPG or a supplemental book for the d20 system, but I do want to write adventures for players and DMs, and publish them on the internet. I want the adventures to comply with the rules and guidlines of the D20 D&D 3.5e Game. Specifically, I would like to be able to list things such as creature CR, encounter levels, etc. If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right? Well, I have never read of an adventure that explains the CR and EL system. You can offer any relevant stats/values to the adventure and the game, be it AC, CR, SR, EL, etc. Perhaps think of the Red Hand of Doom and how it is written (with refferences to the MM, DMG, and listing encounter levels and challenge ratings), and that's about how I want to write my adventures - bold, easy to understand, and detailed - completely functioning with the system. What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?) If you want to cite references on WotC's publications, you'll need the d20 System Trademark License. Even so, there are only a few body of works you can cite (read the accompanying Trademark Usage Guide). What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?) Avoid using WotC's books when writing the adventures. Lock them away and just use the SRD. When you're editing it, you can decide if you need to cut certain text down because the allowed WotC's books already have it. Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?) Sorry, "mind flayer" is one of WotC's Product Identity. Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.) You don't necessarily need original OGC to meet the minimum 5%. You can count OGC from the SRD to meet the minimum 5%. You have a choice if you're contributing any original (non-derivative) gaming content as OGC or not.
spyone 03-23-07, 12:35 AM	I've noticed it seems that many of the people on this board really seem to understand some of the finer aspects of the OGL and the D20 license. I'm currently wading through the FAQs and other technical information, but I thought someone on this board may be able to answer some questions or point me in the right direction. I'll gladly share my opinions, but I would first like to share a bit of advice. Someone else said it (I can't recall exactly who), and I thought it was quite good. Paraphrased: Hire a lawyer. If you don't think you are going to make enough money off your adventure(s) to pay for that lawyer, think long and hard about whether you want to publish them at all then. Because making a mistake that a laywer could have easilly prevented can cost you many times what that lawyer would cost. And Ranger REG and I are no substitute for a lawyer, if for no other reasons than that we cannot be sued for malpractice if it turns out our advice is bad. :) If I understand everything so far, it is ok to do as long as I don't write about the challenge rating or ecounter level systems (and point the readers towards the core rulebooks), right? That is my understanding: you can say this critter has a CR of 8, but not explain how that was calculated. What would I need to do to do this? (Specific Licenses, Permissions, etc?)I believe the OGL is all you would need, though you may find other things (like the d20 license) handy. What should I strenously avoid doing? (Common mistakes?) Don't use Product Identity. Don't use the names of characters Wizards uses, for instance. In fact, put you PHB and DMG away, and print out a copy of the SRD to use as reference. Remember: if it isn't in the SRD, you (probably) aren't allowed to use it. Would I be limited to only including SRD creatures in the adventure? (For example, could I include a Mind Flayer in the adventure if I pointed the players to the "MM"?)My understanding is that you are limited to SRD monsters (or monsters you create yourself, of course). I am unsure if it might be ok to refer to a "Mind Flayer", so I would avoid it. If you really want to include an Illithid in your adventure, at least write to Wizard's legal guys to ask what kind of reference would be acceptable (it might be okay to use the name as say to look it up in the Monster Manual if you use the d20 license, or maybe they want you to simply give the page number and call it the MM, or maybe they simply won't allow it. I don't know.) I'm having a bit of trouble determining if my adventures could be easily plagarised, and I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice as to protecting my written content, and so forth. I'm guessing it probably would be fairly easy to rip off your ideas and get away with it, but you could protect yourself somewhat by making stuff like your maps Product Identity. Then, they can't just steal your maps. Beyond making it Product Identity and suggesting the use of "watermarked" PDFs, I don't really have any ideas on how to protect yourself. Finally, is the 5% content of the OGL content required to be written specifically for the adventure, or does SRD information count towards that? (Mostly a curiosity question here.) As I understand it, the 5% requirement is that 5% of the Open Content in your work be new material that has not previously appeared elsewhere. So, for every 19 feats you reprint from the SRD, you'd have to add one of your own. IIRC, word count is the usual measure for that purpose, really. It should probably be noted that do to financial concerns, I'm trying to make sure I heavily understand what I'm doing before trying to contact a lawyer to have them explain it to me. :bigeyes: Good boy. As I have said elsewhere, it is going to go easier with the lawyer if your question is "does this say what I think this says?" instead of "explain this to me". You should ask us as many questions as you can think of, then go see the lawyer and say, "Here's what I think these licenses will allow me to do, and I need you to tell me if I'm right."