With all of the custom content being made for the Pathfinder ACG, the idea came to me to try to adapt We Be Goblins! into the ACG format. This would include the four pregens as playable characters (maybe also two more for 5-6 player games, either based on other pregen goblins or making my own) and a custom scenario or two representing the module with new henchmen and villain cards. If we can, I'd like to discuss the concept of adapting official Paizo works from the Pathfinder RPG into the Pathfinder ACG, just to clarify any copyright issues that might arise from free fan-made material and the distribution of such. Basically, what can we get away with and what can't we?
I've read over the Community Use Policy (after Vic linked it in another thread) and I think I understand most of it pretty well. But with the new situation of trying to adapt the RPG into the ACG format, I'm not sure how certain parts of the policy apply to this situation. Here are a few questions that I'd like to bring up:
1) First, something related to my particular project: We Be Goblins Too! is listed on the Community Use Approved Product List, but the original We Be Goblins! is not. Is this an error or was the first module intentionally left off the list for some reason? If there are any other products that might not appear on the list (under Section 1 or Section 2), what is the best way to ask if it should have actually been included or not?
2) To make sure I fully understand how the Community Use Policy might apply to custom character creation, it looks like I can base a custom character off of any character listed in any of the books under Section 1 of the product list. This includes using the characters names and maybe a short little bio (an original summery, not a direct copy) and basing the stats, powers and cards of the characters off of the original characters' abilities. I would NOT be able to use any character artwork from the products that isn't in the Community Use Package or posted on the blog somewhere, but I could draw my own fanart of the characters to use as long as it isn't basically a direct trace of the original art. I could then use the ACG character sheets as templates to make my own character sheets for the custom characters since those are part of the Community Use Package. Is all of this accurate or am I way off base on some (or all) of this?
3) Another question related to my project: One of the We Be Goblins! characters is an alchemist. This class hasn't been used in the ACG yet, but it will be part of the new set and its playtest is approaching. I have some ideas on how I might make an alchemist, but if I see the playtest alchemist would it be okay to use it for inspiration for a custom character as long as it is different enough? This could also apply to possible custom characters based on the Magus, Swashbuckler, and other new classes. I would think this would be a no (or at least a "please don't"), but I figured I'd ask anyway.
4) As far as adapting scenarios from existing Pathfinder RPG products (like trying to adapt We Be Goblins!), what is okay? The only time the Policy talks about the plots of the products is for use in "campaign journals and play-by-post or play-by-email games" and doesn't mention anything about adaptions for other fan-made creations. Would trying to turn Pathfinder RPG modules and adventure paths into ACG scenarios be okay through the Policy or would it require a license?
Those are all of the questions I have right now. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Chief Technical Officer
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1) Looks like WBG was accidentally removed from the list. I've added it back. (It may take a while for that change to become public.)
2) You've got it!
3) While there's technically no NDA for the playtest, we do ask that people not spread around significant bits of game content outside the playtest.
4) You're correct—the policy doesn't allow for adapting our storylines into other media; that's a right we're reserving.
1) Looks like WBG was accidentally removed from the list. I've added it back. (It may take a while for that change to become public.)
2) You've got it!
3) While there's technically no NDA for the playtest, we do ask that people not spread around significant bits of game content outside the playtest.
Good to know! I'll be sure to not use anything from the playtest as inspiration in any fan-made content; at least not until after Skull & Shackles comes out. Just to avoid any possible coincidence of similarity, here is my first draft of the goblin alchemist (just the base character; no role card yet):
MOGMURCH
Male Goblin Alchemist
SKILLS
Strength d4 [ ] +1
Dexterity d12 [ ] +1 [ ] +2 [ ] +3 [ ] +4
-Ranged: Dexterity +1
Constitution d8 [ ] +1 [ ] +2 [ ] +3
-Fortitude: Constitution +2
Intelligence d10 [ ] +1 [ ] +2 [ ] +3 [ ] +4
-Arcane: Intelligence +1
-Divine: Intelligence +1
Wisdom d4 [ ] +1
Charisma d4 [ ] +1 [ ] +2
POWERS
HAND SIZE 6
PROFICIENT WITH: [X] Light Armors [ ] Weapons
For your combat check, you may recharge a card to roll your Ranged die + 1d4 ([ ] +1)([ ] +2). If the card has the Liquid trait, add an additional 1d4 and the check gains the Fire and Magic traits. This counts as playing a weapon.
When you play a boon with the Liquid trait, you may discard ([ ] or recharge) it instead of banishing it.
CARDS LIST ----- FAVORED CARD TYPE: ITEM
Weapon - 1 [ ] 2
Spell - 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5
Armor - 1 [ ] 2
Item - 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ ] 7
Ally - 3 [ ] 4
Blessing - 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5
4) You're correct—the policy doesn't allow for adapting our storylines into other media; that's a right we're reserving.
So then would it be okay to adapt We Be Goblins and other modules and adventures as long as there is no actual plot description? Like making We Be Goblins as a scenario with Vorka as the villain and her pets as the henchmen with a few new locations and special mechanics inspired by the module, as long as there is basically no story on the "back-side" of the scenario card telling what is specifically going on? Or is that also not authorized?
I'm getting confused now - ACG can stand for Advanced Class Guide and Adventure Card Game, and because Skull and Shackles includes Advanced Class Guide content, it means I have no idea what "ACG" stands for anymore!
By the way, I think you have too few items in your starting deck for your alchemist - maybe reduce an ally for an item? You want to cycle a lot of them.
Pathfinder Alchemists don't seem to be spellcasters, so why does he have spells?
Also, an Alchemist should definitely have the Craft skill!
By the way, I think you have too few items in your starting deck for your alchemist - maybe reduce an ally for an item? You want to cycle a lot of them.
Yes, I was a little worried about that, too. He might be able to deal with one less ally. It is just a first draft after all. But remember, as written right now, he doesn't need to have items to be able to cycle his deck. Items are just nicer to have for his bombs.
Pathfinder Alchemists don't seem to be spellcasters, so why does he have spells?
Alchemists are weird quasi-casters. They create special potions each day called extracts that work almost identical to spells. In the card game, I don't see any way to emulate this other than to just give him spell casting. And like the Bard, some of his "spells" are arcane while others are divine.
Also, an Alchemist should definitely have the Craft skill!
You know, I could have sworn there was a card that had Craft as a possible skill for the check. And I could have sworn Ezren had that skill. But looking at his character sheet, I don't see the Craft skill. Does the skill really exist??
Thanks for the feedback!
Some of the items have "Craft" for their check to acquire, but no character has Craft as a skill. We'll probably see it on the alchemist in Skull and Shackles. Mike said that "craft" was on some cards so that the game was compatible with their future plans (or something to that effect).
Here they are. Read the linked post and Mike's response below in both cases. Note the slay foreshadowing way Mike answers. So maybe later in PACG RoR or maybe in PACG S&S, but there seem to be some intentions for Craft to be useful at some point.
Okay, that makes sense then and my alchemist should have it. But since he already has four specific skills he should probably ditch one, but I'm not sure which. Probably the Fortitude since it was more of a flavor choice and didn't have much to do with his mechanics. Thank you.
Yeah I guess... it's going to be hard to emulate.
No characters in RotR have the Craft skill, but it's a skill on Potions at least.
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Chief Technical Officer
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So then would it be okay to adapt We Be Goblins and other modules and adventures as long as there is no actual plot description? Like making We Be Goblins as a scenario with Vorka as the villain and her pets as the henchmen with a few new locations and special mechanics inspired by the module, as long as there is basically no story on the "back-side" of the scenario card telling what is specifically going on?
Basically, yes.
(The rules are as they are largely due to fan-fiction. We're okay with people sharing stories using our characters in our setting, but we want them to tell their own stories, not retell ours.)
Great. Thank you for the clarifications, Vic. I think I'll have lots of fun adapting things into the card game. Hopefully one day I'll actually be able to run the RPGs as a GM, but in the mean time this is a nice way to get familiar with the material and maybe provide some fun for other fans.