Ive been working on a stargate setting for D20 modern and have come up with quite a bit of stuff. I wish to know the legality of making something like this before a post it.
Is it legal? I plan on freely releasing it to anyone that wants it, but seeing as though I have never made any sort of conversion for d20 modern or any d20 game I am fuzzy on the "open game license" stuff. So if someone could reassure me on that, ill gladly release what I have.
Also keep in mind that this has only been playtested once and I already had to make changes. So in the event I do post it, I look forward to any constructive criticism that can be offered. Especially regarding space combat and the psionics/Jaffa classes
Even if we didn't already have a Stargate d20, you would still need the Permission of Stargate's owners, and that could cost you quite a bit.
Note that the Stargate SG1 RPG is no longer in print and hard to find.
So if someone could reassure me on that, ill gladly release what I have.
If you want to be on the safe side then whatever write-up you want to make available should contain as little background detail as possible. E.g. when statting the staff weapon focus on the game mechanics rather than going into detail as to how it works.
Players will likely be familiar with the setting already, or look to official sources for more background information. Which kinda makes your write-up a bit of ree advertising.
-K
Jaffa Warrior
Requirements:
Base attack bonus +2
Skills: Athletics 5 ranks
Feats: Exotic weapon proficiency: Staff weapon, Weapon focus: Staff weapon, Combat Martial Arts
Special: Must be a Jaffa.
Hit Die: d10
Class Skills:
Acrobatics (Dex), Athletics (Str), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Chr), Knowledge (Goa’uhld, History, Tactics) (Int), Perception (Wis), Pilot (Dex), Profession (Wis), Read/Write Language, Speak Language, Survival (Wis)
The Jaffa Warrior gains 3 + int bonus skill points each level
The Jaffa Warrior gains 5 + ½ his character level in action points each level
BAB F R W Special Def Rep
0 1 1 0 Weap spec Staff 1 0
1 2 2 0 Bonus Feat 2 0
2 2 2 1 Imp Combat Arts 2 0
3 2 2 1 Staff Attack. +2 3 0
3 3 3 1 Imp Trip 4 1
4 3 3 2 Staff Fighting 4 1
5 4 4 2 Bonus Feat 5 1
6 4 4 2 Adv. Combat Arts 6 1
6 4 4 3 Staff Attack +4 6 2
7 5 5 3 Imp Staff Fight 7 2
Bonus Feat List
(Armor proficiency: Medium, Blind Fight, Cleave, Defensive Martial Arts, Dodge, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise shot)
Weapon Specialization: Staff - The Jaffa Warrior gains + 2 damage on any staff hit, ranged or melee.
Improved Combat Arts - The Jaffa Warrior gains the feat: Improved Combat Martial Arts without needing the prerequisites.
Staff Attack +2 - The Jaffa Warrior gains proficiency with ranged staff attacks, lessening the penalty to -2
Improved Trip - The Jaffa Warrior gains the benefits of the feat with the same name, without needing the prerequisites.
Staff Fighting - The Jaffa gains proficiency with melee staff attacks, allowing him to use the benefits of the feat: Two weapon fighting, when wielding a staff weapon only, and without needing the prerequisites.
Advanced Combat Arts - The Jaffa Warrior gains the feat Advanced Combat Martial Arts without needing the prerequisites.
Staff Attack +4 - The Jaffa Warriors ranged staff ability improves to + 4, negating the accuracy penalty entirely.
Improved Staff Fighting - The Jaffa Warrior gains the benefits of Improved Two Weapon Fighting, when wielding a staff and without needing the prerequisites
Prestige Classes
The Jaffa Master
Requirements:
Base attack bonus +7
Feats: Exotic Proficiency: Staff Weapon, Weapon Focus: Staff Weapon, Weapon Specialization: Staff Weapon, Improved Combat Martial Arts
Special: Must be a Jaffa.
Class Skills:
Acrobatics (Dex), Athletics (Str), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Chr), Knowledge (Goa’uhld, History, Tactics) (Int), Perception (Wis), Pilot (Dex), Profession (Wis), Read/Write Language, Speak Language, Survival (Wis)
He gains 3 + int bonus in skill points each level
He gains 6 + ½ character level in action points each level
BAB F R W Special Def Rep
1 1 0 2 Technique 1 0
2 2 0 3 All Senses 1 0
3 2 1 3 Str or Wis +2 2 1
4 2 1 4 Left for Dead 2 1
5 3 1 4 True Warrior 3 2
Technique- When the Jaffa Master reaches first level he must decide on where to take his skills. He may choose one of the following abilities:
Technique Rapid Staff - The Jaffa Master treats the staff as a weapon with the auto fire ability. He can use the benefits of the feat "Advanced Firearms Proficiency" while wielding the staff, he can also later take the feat "Burst Fire" but unless he obtains the feat Advanced Firearms Proficiency separately, he can only use burst fire with the staff.
Technique Whole Weapon - The Jaffa Master gains a better understanding of how and when to use the ranged staff attack, he no longer opens himself to attacks of opportunity when he fires his staff in melee range
Technique Trip and Fire - The Jaffa Master gains one free trip attack per round if he hits the opponent twice in a row (either with two weapon fighting, or just two attacks) in melee with the staff weapon, if the trip attack succeeds he also gets to fire his staff at his full base attack bonus at the tripped opponent. If he chooses to do the trip attack, he loses all other normal attacks. He may drop the weapon to avoid getting tripped if he fails his own trip attack.
All Senses - The Jaffa Master learns that sight can deceive and gains blind sense to 20 feet
Str or Wis +2 - Through training the Jaffa Master may improve his physical self or his mind. Gaining either Strength +2 or Wisdom +2 but not both.
Left for Dead - The Jaffa Master has a strong will to live, and gains +5 on his Massive Damage. This stacks with all other abilities that increase massive damage.
True Warrior - When using an action point to increase an attack roll, the Jaffa Master may elect to spend an additional point. If he does so, he may roll another d6 and add the result to the bonus he already has from the first action point roll.
Staff Weapon: Ranged
Requires EWP Staff Weapon
5d6
Crit 20
Concussion
S
25 pounds
Special: -4 penalty to attack, + 2 to intimidate to any being under Goa'uhld oppression
range inc 35
Large
The Staff Weapon is a very powerful ranged weapon. However, it is designed primarily as a tool to frighten people rather than to kill. As such its unusual design makes it unwieldy to use accurately when firing.
Staff Weapon: Melee
Requires EWP Staff Weapon
1d8/1d8
Crit 19-20 x2
Bludgeoning
25 pounds
Special: +2 to Intimidate to any being under Goa'uhld Oppression
Large
The Staff Weapon shines when used in melee, since all Jaffa Martial arts are centered around this weapon.
That said, Stargate SG1 at least had a nod toward the issue with all of the human cultures out in spave having a common origin on Earth due to the Gou'ald, the Ancients, the Ori, and the Asgard.
It will go on ebay in the next couple of days.
So if anyone is interested, just PM me.
Hi,
Ive been working on a stargate setting for D20 modern and have come up with quite a bit of stuff. I wish to know the legality of making something like this before a post it.
Is it legal? I plan on freely releasing it to anyone that wants it, but seeing as though I have never made any sort of conversion for d20 modern or any d20 game I am fuzzy on the "open game license" stuff. So if someone could reassure me on that, ill gladly release what I have.
Also keep in mind that this has only been playtested once and I already had to make changes. So in the event I do post it, I look forward to any constructive criticism that can be offered. Especially regarding space combat and the psionics/Jaffa classes
Keep in mind the letters of the Open Gaming License, particularly Section 7...
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
Remember that Stargate is a trademark owned by Sony/MGM.
Does that mean that stuff like Skrittiblak's d20 40k would violate the OGL?
If it's based on WH 40K, and he didn't get White Dwarf's permission, then technically, he violated the OGL.
But yeah, it's just a plot device like the translator microbes in Farscape.
Actually, when you go through the wormhole, the gate alters your brain somehow (it's never explained how) so that whatever language is spoken most prevalently on the other side (lets say Klingon) sounds like your mother tounge, and when you try to speak your mother tongue, it comes out as that language (Klingon).
Sounds like the TARDIS!
Cheers, LT.
The Character Dossier (which is an expanded character sheet) has a whole page dedicated to skills alone. The faction you choose to be employed by (for example, NID, IOA, Air Force, Navy, the US Marine Corp) can give you effects similar to racial effects in D&D (there are also international factions, so you don't have to be American if you don't want to). Of course you don't have to be human, you can be any of the other races as well. You can spend a session on gearing up alone. The planet creation rules are amazing.
Not really a good game for beginners, but fans should love it.