Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lokiare Jun 09, 2009 15:45:26	I am creating another 1st level Kobold minion. I am basing all of its powers off of the original WotC Kobold minion, with the exception of changing a few of its ability scores and giving it a shortbow attack. My question is according to the GSL and SRD what am I actually allowed to reprint in my commercial adventure module?
#2 dan_vk Jun 09, 2009 16:22:28	As I understand it (which very well may be incorrect), you not reprint directly. In other words, you cannot reprint what is in the Monster Manual, exactly or 'close enough', but you may print references to the Core Rulebooks ("Fighter Class Feature; see the D&D 4E Player's Handbook") and the applied results of your stat changes ("Initiative +5"). I do not sound very clear to myself, so the following link should prove helpful.
#3 lokiare Jun 09, 2009 18:15:16	As I understand it (which very well may be incorrect), you not reprint directly. In other words, you cannot reprint what is in the Monster Manual, exactly or 'close enough', but you may print references to the Core Rulebooks ("Fighter Class Feature; see the D&D 4E Player's Handbook") and the applied results of your stat changes ("Initiative +5"). I do not sound very clear to myself, so the following link should prove helpful. I couldn't get the page to load. So while I can't show what the whole monster would look like, I can show what has changed. So I can show the name, initiative modifier, dex, and str stats, the basic attack with a javelin and its modifiers, but I can only reference the shifty, and trap sense powers from the MM, and I can reference the items (since they can be referenced by name), but I cannot reference the other stats? Is this correct?
#4 dan_vk Jun 09, 2009 22:15:30	Yes, that is what I was trying to say. The link I posted above is tricky; even though your browser says it is done loading you must wait a minute or two before anything below the notices will appear. This link may also help you. It addresses powers.
#5 WotC_ScottR Jun 10, 2009 13:33:50	I am creating another 1st level Kobold minion. I am basing all of its powers off of the original WotC Kobold minion, with the exception of changing a few of its ability scores and giving it a shortbow attack. My question is according to the GSL and SRD what am I actually allowed to reprint in my commercial adventure module? You can't reprint monster blocks or the powers verbatim. You can list them but you'll have to re-direct players back to the MM to look up. My suggestion would be to make a new Kobold minion (e.g. Kobold Bootlicker). The numbers can be the same or different. If you want the same powers as the Kobold Minion you'll have to list those (no text) or just make up new/similar ones. With 4e and the templates it is pretty easy to do stuff that is original.
#6 inkpenavenger Jun 10, 2009 22:26:16	Now, when the SRD says "applied mechanical results" what exactly does that mean? In an NPC fighter statblock which entry would be legal? m Steel Serpent Strike (standard; encounter) + Weapon +9 vs. AC; 2d8 + 6 damage, and the target is slowed and cannot shift until the end of the dwarf fighter's next turn. or m Steel Serpent Strike (standard; encounter) + Weapon +9 vs. AC; 2d8 + 6 damage, see the D&D 4E Player's Handbook. And what about a racial power that has no mechanical changes from level to level such as: Fey Step (move; encounter) + Teleportation The eladrin whatever teleports 5 squares. or Fey Step (move; encounter) + Teleportation See the D&D 4E Player's Handbook It just seems like it would be quite a pain spend the time building an NPC when the DM who buys youre module would have to spend even more time looking up and jotting down all the powers.
#7 lokiare Jun 11, 2009 3:02:16	You can't reprint monster blocks or the powers verbatim. You can list them but you'll have to re-direct players back to the MM to look up. My suggestion would be to make a new Kobold minion (e.g. Kobold Bootlicker). The numbers can be the same or different. If you want the same powers as the Kobold Minion you'll have to list those (no text) or just make up new/similar ones. With 4e and the templates it is pretty easy to do stuff that is original. Ok. Here is what I have tell me if it is legal please: Kobold Shooter Level 1 Minion Small natural humanoid XP 30 Initiative +4 Senses Perception +1; darkvision HP 1; (See minion in the MONSTER MANUAL)[Edited to make it legal] AC 15, Fortitude 11, Reflex 14, Will 11 Speed 6 Short Sword (standard; at-will) Weapon +4 vs. AC; 4 damage Short Bow (standard; at-will) Weapon Ranged 10/20; +6 vs. AC; 4 damage. Shifty (See Kobold Minion in the MM) Trap Sense (See Kobold Minion in the MM) Alignment Evil Languages Common, Draconic Skills Stealth +5, Thievery +5 Str 8 (-1) Dex 18 (+4) Wis 12 (+1) Con 10 (+0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 10 (-1) Equipment hide armor, short sword, shortbow, 10 arrows
#8 dan_vk Jun 11, 2009 8:47:45	Now, when the SRD says "applied mechanical results" what exactly does that mean? It means you may print things such as "+10 vs AC" and "+5 DMG" but not "2[W] + STR DMG" if that is something from the Core Rulebooks. In an NPC fighter statblock which entry would be legal? The SRD is very clear about citations. The example used there is as follows: Adamantine Strike (Level 27 Fighter Encounter Attack Exploit; see the D&D 4E Player’s Handbook.) And what about a racial power that has no mechanical changes from level to level such as: The SRD contains 'Fey Step' but does not have any elaborative text. As I understand it, you would need to print it in a manner identical to the above example. It just seems like it would be quite a pain spend the time building an NPC when the DM who buys youre module would have to spend even more time looking up and jotting down all the powers. Yes, it certainly looks that way. In my experience writing encounters and using encounters written by friends and colleagues I found using a stat block filled with citations is not as discouraging as it looks. A good DM will preview the material and make necessary notes before using a module, and 4E D&D has such smooth mechanics it takes minutes at most to fill in a stat block. You can avoid this issue entirely by using monsters as printed wherever possible. When I began constructing encounters I wanted NPCs tailored specifically to the level and situation at hand. As I made more encounters I realized the MM and MM2 have enough variety to cover most encounters. Mongoose Publishing, for example, rarely creates enemies for their Wraith Recon products.
#9 dan_vk Jun 11, 2009 9:05:04	Ok. Here is what I have tell me if it is legal please: I cannot tell you if it is legal or not because I am not a lawyer but the only potential conflict with the GSL/SRD I see is: HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. I would remove everything after "HP 1" because it is defining Minion.
#10 lokiare Jun 11, 2009 9:50:24	I cannot tell you if it is legal or not because I am not a lawyer but the only potential conflict with the GSL/SRD I see is: I would remove everything after "HP 1" because it is defining Minion. Thank you I've changed it in my module.