Are the D&D: Kingdoms of Kalamar races official D&D material? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Are the D&D: Kingdoms of Kalamar races official D&D material? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
celestialkin
06-09-07, 01:04 AM Hey guys.

Are the D&D: Kingdoms of Kalamar races official D&D races and material? I noticed that the Kingdoms of Kalamar books carry the Dungeons & Dragons seal on them, but I can't find any information on them in sources like the Wizards.com monster index tool.

I'm asking this because many DMs have a problem with 3rd party material, and the Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene book has some very interesting mixed races. I'm especially interested in if the half-dwarf/half-human and half-gnome/half-human races are official, since I've seen a number of people ask about such mixed races, or any and all mixed races for that matter.
calronmoonflower
06-09-07, 06:19 AM Look on the back cover for a seal that says "Official Wizards of the Coast Licensed Product".
Derren S.
06-09-07, 06:33 AM Well, they are official when you play Kingdoms of Kalamar
Naderion
06-09-07, 10:55 AM Or as a straight answer: Kingdoms of Kalamar is not by wizards, so everything in there is nott "official standard D&D".
Ongorth
06-09-07, 11:01 AM Or as a straight answer: Kingdoms of Kalamar is not by wizards, so everything in there is nott "official standard D&D".

What in the world is the meaning of "official standard D&D"?

Seriously, whether or not something in made by Wizards or even liscensed by Wizards really doesn't change its validity. There is no overarching standards for "official" play.

The closest thing to "official standard D&D" that could possible be defined would be the information within the core books (or possible the information within the SRD), so by that measure, of couse KoK information who not be "official standard D&D", but then again, neither would Complete Warrior.

Fear of third party products, whatever. I never understood the idea that "products" were bad. You look at the actual, individual material in the products and decide it that is good for your game.

I mean, if you found a terribly balanced product with a creative, interesting and well balanced [class/race/feat/spell] in it, you wouldn't use it because the book it happens to be in isn't good?
Mark_Plemmons
06-14-07, 09:25 AM For the curious: :)

All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material.

However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product.

Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do.

Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least.
Mark_Plemmons
06-14-07, 09:30 AM I noticed that the Kingdoms of Kalamar books carry the Dungeons & Dragons seal on them, but I can't find any information on them in sources like the Wizards.com monster index tool.

Like any company, Wizards is most interested in promoting the products they own, and limiting their time and resources to their own brands. While it would be great if they'd give(n) more focus to the licensed Kingdoms of Kalamar line on the web and mentioned in their books, I can't realistically expect them to.
Lecen_of_Mitran
06-14-07, 11:05 AM For the curious: :)

All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material.

However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product.

Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do.

Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least.

Well, he just answered the OP´s question. Next! :)
Mark_Plemmons
06-14-07, 12:49 PM Nah, let's talk about Kalamar some more first. :D
celestialkin
06-14-07, 02:29 PM For the curious: :)

All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material.

However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product.

Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do.

Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least.

Like any company, Wizards is most interested in promoting the products they own, and limiting their time and resources to their own brands. While it would be great if they'd give(n) more focus to the licensed Kingdoms of Kalamar line on the web and mentioned in their books, I can't realistically expect them to.

Wow. Thanks for answering my questions about your products. I'm a bit surprised to be getting an answer straight from the sources mouth. :)

Oh, and are you guys planning to continue and expand the Kingdoms of Kalamar line? You have some interesting material there, and I'd like to see some more in the future. I especially liked that you touched upon mixed core races (Half-Dwarf and Half-Gnome). Now all I need is a book with Half-Halflings and Half-Kobolds and I'm set.
Mark_Plemmons
06-15-07, 10:21 AM Now all I need is a book with Half-Halflings and Half-Kobolds and I'm set.

No plans for those, I'm afraid. :D We only wrote up the half-races that seemed to make more sense in the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting. Half-gnomes because of the friendly gnome-human relationship in the Reanaaria Bay region, half-dwarves and half-gith because of the dwarf-human and extraplanar conflicts and need for political marriages, half-gnolls because the gnolls are the "orcs" of the Svimohzish Isle, half-satyrs because of their natural prevalence towards making out with humans, and tel-amhothlan because of the elf-orc conflicts and the fact that the godly creator of the orc race used elves in his template. Of course, there's also those several % chances of whether or not these special crossbreeds will even survive the conception/birthing process, and limited lifespans after that.

We don't like to make half-races that don't make sense in our setting. For example, if you look at Blood and Shadows: the Dark Elves of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=177), you'll see this interesting tidbit:

"We take great pride in our bloodlines, and though we may just that a surface half-elf is a slight improvement on a full-blooded one, the idea of a dark elf halfbreed is pure sacrilege. As such, visiting humans, elves or orcs are never allowed inside any House of Vice, even should they somehow gain permission to visit our cities. They must also be accompanied by a dark elf of the same sex while conducting business within the Empire. Should such a coupling ever take place, I can assure you that both parents and unborn child would be immediately put to death. As of yet, I can say that there is no record of such an abomination ever being born."

Though if you like kobolds, you should check out Friend and Foe: the Gnomes and Kobolds of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=170).
Mark_Plemmons
06-15-07, 10:22 AM Oh, and are you guys planning to continue and expand the Kingdoms of Kalamar line? You have some interesting material there, and I'd like to see some more in the future.

Our next big KoK release (coming in a few weeks) is Svimohzia: the Ancient Isle (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?products_id=488&osCsid=9a7dff244da82c6becee1f0342f2acb6) , which I think describes most visually as ancient Africa with an ancient Roman tech level (e.g. spectacular stone cities). We decided not to use the D&D brand on it (which incidentally gave us a little more art and writing freedom when it comes to a few things like the nasty habits and followers of our Vicelord deity :) ).

I imagine it'll appeal greatly to gamers looking for a non-European flavor based setting. (Though we've also included full details on one tiny coastal colony that serves as a good transition point from Euro-feel to Africa-feel.) :)

There's a direct link to a PDF preview here (http://www.kenzerco.com/free_files/svimohzia_preview.pdf).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
celestialkin 06-09-07, 01:04 AM	Hey guys. Are the D&D: Kingdoms of Kalamar races official D&D races and material? I noticed that the Kingdoms of Kalamar books carry the Dungeons & Dragons seal on them, but I can't find any information on them in sources like the Wizards.com monster index tool. I'm asking this because many DMs have a problem with 3rd party material, and the Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene book has some very interesting mixed races. I'm especially interested in if the half-dwarf/half-human and half-gnome/half-human races are official, since I've seen a number of people ask about such mixed races, or any and all mixed races for that matter.
calronmoonflower 06-09-07, 06:19 AM	Look on the back cover for a seal that says "Official Wizards of the Coast Licensed Product".
Derren S. 06-09-07, 06:33 AM	Well, they are official when you play Kingdoms of Kalamar
Naderion 06-09-07, 10:55 AM	Or as a straight answer: Kingdoms of Kalamar is not by wizards, so everything in there is nott "official standard D&D".
Ongorth 06-09-07, 11:01 AM	Or as a straight answer: Kingdoms of Kalamar is not by wizards, so everything in there is nott "official standard D&D". What in the world is the meaning of "official standard D&D"? Seriously, whether or not something in made by Wizards or even liscensed by Wizards really doesn't change its validity. There is no overarching standards for "official" play. The closest thing to "official standard D&D" that could possible be defined would be the information within the core books (or possible the information within the SRD), so by that measure, of couse KoK information who not be "official standard D&D", but then again, neither would Complete Warrior. Fear of third party products, whatever. I never understood the idea that "products" were bad. You look at the actual, individual material in the products and decide it that is good for your game. I mean, if you found a terribly balanced product with a creative, interesting and well balanced [class/race/feat/spell] in it, you wouldn't use it because the book it happens to be in isn't good?
Mark_Plemmons 06-14-07, 09:25 AM	For the curious: :) All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material. However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product. Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do. Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least.
Mark_Plemmons 06-14-07, 09:30 AM	I noticed that the Kingdoms of Kalamar books carry the Dungeons & Dragons seal on them, but I can't find any information on them in sources like the Wizards.com monster index tool. Like any company, Wizards is most interested in promoting the products they own, and limiting their time and resources to their own brands. While it would be great if they'd give(n) more focus to the licensed Kingdoms of Kalamar line on the web and mentioned in their books, I can't realistically expect them to.
Lecen_of_Mitran 06-14-07, 11:05 AM	For the curious: :) All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material. However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product. Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do. Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least. Well, he just answered the OP´s question. Next! :)
Mark_Plemmons 06-14-07, 12:49 PM	Nah, let's talk about Kalamar some more first. :D
celestialkin 06-14-07, 02:29 PM	For the curious: :) All Kingdoms of Kalamar (http://www.kenzerco.com/index.php?cPath=25_28) products bearing the D&D brand logo were approved by Wizards of the Coast. All the art and text were submitted to, and approved by, Wizards in multiple submission stages. On occasion, Wizards requires editorial changes before the final product is approved. So it's pretty official. The difference is that we (Kenzer and Company) create and own the material. However, whether having official approval matters is really up to each individual player/DM. You can use the Kingdoms of Kalamar books (or not) just like you'd pick and choose from Wizards-owned product. Of course, I want you to use our stuff. :) We've put our hearts and souls into our product lines, and want you to enjoy them as much as we do. Just browse our website (http://www.kenzerco.com/) and I'm sure you'll find something interesting, at least. Like any company, Wizards is most interested in promoting the products they own, and limiting their time and resources to their own brands. While it would be great if they'd give(n) more focus to the licensed Kingdoms of Kalamar line on the web and mentioned in their books, I can't realistically expect them to. Wow. Thanks for answering my questions about your products. I'm a bit surprised to be getting an answer straight from the sources mouth. :) Oh, and are you guys planning to continue and expand the Kingdoms of Kalamar line? You have some interesting material there, and I'd like to see some more in the future. I especially liked that you touched upon mixed core races (Half-Dwarf and Half-Gnome). Now all I need is a book with Half-Halflings and Half-Kobolds and I'm set.
Mark_Plemmons 06-15-07, 10:21 AM	Now all I need is a book with Half-Halflings and Half-Kobolds and I'm set. No plans for those, I'm afraid. :D We only wrote up the half-races that seemed to make more sense in the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting. Half-gnomes because of the friendly gnome-human relationship in the Reanaaria Bay region, half-dwarves and half-gith because of the dwarf-human and extraplanar conflicts and need for political marriages, half-gnolls because the gnolls are the "orcs" of the Svimohzish Isle, half-satyrs because of their natural prevalence towards making out with humans, and tel-amhothlan because of the elf-orc conflicts and the fact that the godly creator of the orc race used elves in his template. Of course, there's also those several % chances of whether or not these special crossbreeds will even survive the conception/birthing process, and limited lifespans after that. We don't like to make half-races that don't make sense in our setting. For example, if you look at Blood and Shadows: the Dark Elves of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=177), you'll see this interesting tidbit: "We take great pride in our bloodlines, and though we may just that a surface half-elf is a slight improvement on a full-blooded one, the idea of a dark elf halfbreed is pure sacrilege. As such, visiting humans, elves or orcs are never allowed inside any House of Vice, even should they somehow gain permission to visit our cities. They must also be accompanied by a dark elf of the same sex while conducting business within the Empire. Should such a coupling ever take place, I can assure you that both parents and unborn child would be immediately put to death. As of yet, I can say that there is no record of such an abomination ever being born." Though if you like kobolds, you should check out Friend and Foe: the Gnomes and Kobolds of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=170).
Mark_Plemmons 06-15-07, 10:22 AM	Oh, and are you guys planning to continue and expand the Kingdoms of Kalamar line? You have some interesting material there, and I'd like to see some more in the future. Our next big KoK release (coming in a few weeks) is Svimohzia: the Ancient Isle (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?products_id=488&osCsid=9a7dff244da82c6becee1f0342f2acb6) , which I think describes most visually as ancient Africa with an ancient Roman tech level (e.g. spectacular stone cities). We decided not to use the D&D brand on it (which incidentally gave us a little more art and writing freedom when it comes to a few things like the nasty habits and followers of our Vicelord deity :) ). I imagine it'll appeal greatly to gamers looking for a non-European flavor based setting. (Though we've also included full details on one tiny coastal colony that serves as a good transition point from Euro-feel to Africa-feel.) :) There's a direct link to a PDF preview here (http://www.kenzerco.com/free_files/svimohzia_preview.pdf).