Yes, technically speaking the best known Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred's best-seller, does not directly deal with undead, concerning itself more with Probably Rugose Eldritch Horrors From Beyond Space(tm), but "Necronomicon" does mean something like "Book of the Dead". Not "Book of Probably Rugose Eldritch Horrors From Beyond the Stars(tm)".
It's not just 4e. They named the 3.5 undead splatbook Libris "Pseudo Latinus" Mortis. Are they afraid of HP Lovecraft's estate demanding royalties? It's public domain now! To my knowledge, nobody's gone after Paizo for including the shoggoth in the Pathfinder Bestiary. Could someone explain unto me the name choice?
If it's upset parents afraid their offspring are summoning Yog-Sothoth in the basement, I suppose it's a reasonable choice. The same thing happened in earlier editions of D&D, which is where we got the terms "tanar'ri" and "baatezu". The American legal system is remarkably permissive with whiny people unwilling to take responsibility. But anyone well-read enough to get what the title "Necronomicon" refers to is also going to understand that it is a fictional book, and a causal perusal of the D&D book in question is also going to reveal that it does not concern eldritch horrors, and merely contains game statistics for undead.
If this observation has been made before, I call time-travel plagiarism.
Footnote: this hinges on the assumption that the Cthulhu Mythos Necronomicon is the only one anyone cares or really knows about.
Religious nuts couldn't claim that anyway. The Necronomicon doesn't encompass non-sanity-shattering human beliefs. Clearly anyone holding up a copy of the Necronomicon and claiming it contains satanic elements has no idea what he/she/it is talking about. Azathothian elements, sure, but satanic? Basic law of debate #0: know your evidence and position.
I can understand Wizards wanting to cover their butts, give the whiners no chance at them. It's reasonable to not stick out your neck too far.
Clearly anyone holding up a copy of the Necronomicon and claiming it contains satanic elements has no idea what he/she/it is talking about.
People who know what they are talking about are not the sort that are dangerous.
Clearly anyone holding up a copy of the Necronomicon and claiming it contains satanic elements has no idea what he/she/it is talking about.
People who know what they are talking about are not the sort that are dangerous.
Fair enough.
Wizard's First Rule, after all.
And even if they do check, most aren't familiar with teenage mystical practices like Nerdism, WoWism, DnDism and masturbation.
Ha! It is a good thing, sir/madam/indeterminate, that I was not consuming beverage at that juncture.
Religious nuts couldn't claim that anyway. The Necronomicon doesn't encompass non-sanity-shattering human beliefs. Clearly anyone holding up a copy of the Necronomicon and claiming it contains satanic elements has no idea what he/she/it is talking about. Azathothian elements, sure, but satanic? Basic law of debate #0: know your evidence and position
Don't underestimate what religious nuts can claim. Doesn't matter if it makes sense. They, by very definition, already belive in something that can't be proven.
If they ever publish a devils book, I hope it will be named "Codex of Betrayal".
Yes, technically speaking the best known Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred's best-seller, does not directly deal with undead, concerning itself more with Probably Rugose Eldritch Horrors From Beyond Space(tm), but "Necronomicon" does mean something like "Book of the Dead". Not "Book of Probably Rugose Eldritch Horrors From Beyond the Stars(tm)".
It's not just 4e. They named the 3.5 undead splatbook Libris "Pseudo Latinus" Mortis. Are they afraid of HP Lovecraft's estate demanding royalties? It's public domain now! To my knowledge, nobody's gone after Paizo for including the shoggoth in the Pathfinder Bestiary. Could someone explain unto me the name choice?
If this observation has been made before, I call time-travel plagiarism.
Footnote: this hinges on the assumption that the Cthulhu Mythos Necronomicon is the only one anyone cares or really knows about.
Actually in some of 1st (or 2nd I forget which) edition Deitites and Demigods Cthulu was one of the gods then there were legal issues and Cthulu was dropped. So I imagine they read about in some records or from somewhere else and decided to sidestep it now.