The ORC Alliance Grows

We're working in merch. Had to write the welcome letter to publishers and set up the Discord server first, but will be getting to that agenda item soon!

I am still hoping to see some ORC Alliance merch from Paizo and/or Azora! I will of course be buying from ORC companies in the future, but I want to show my support!!

In the meantime, the Paizo union sells some lovely gear here.

Ulisses Spiele (the German publisher for Pathfinder and many other RPGs) also put out a message yesterday that they are supporting the ORC and will try to convince other German companies to join in.

They also said if there need to be any adjustments made to accommodate German law, they're willing to have it figured out and will pay for the legal work.

I for one am incredibly proud of everyone involved in this initiative.

Any idea when the public might see some drafts?

Darrington Press isn't the same as CR. Tal'Dorei Reborn is 5e compatible but not printed under the D&D brand. I'd be shocked if they were foolish enough to lock it in with some exclusive license*.

*Especially because they didn't even get to use the D&D brand on it!

Actually, page 280 of Tal'Dorei Reborn is the Open Game License v1.0a. This book may have needed to be done that way because much of the book is the same as the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting book that was released by Green Ronin back in 2017, and pg 143 of that book is the 1.0a Open Game License. If something was once released under 1.0a, I don't think you can legally do a "2nd edition" that is closed or not part of the Open Game Licensed.

Paizo, the Knight in shining armor. You are the most outstanding leader in TTRPG. Thank you.

Wondering if there is a kind of ORC funds setup. For those that want to do supporting stuff for this. So there are more ways that the community support too.

It is nice to see that a lot of people join team ORC

go go team Orc

Raging Swan Press is delighted to be part of the ORC Alliance!

I really do love the whole idea behind the license and how it's reaching out to bring lots of medium and small content creators together.

But the more often I see it, the more I am bothered by naming it the "ORC" license.

Whatever anyone's personal views are on orcs being harmless fun or offensive and toxic, it's been the most controversial and divisive topic in RPGs and fantasy in recent memory.

Yes, I get it. It's a bit of a pun. It's cute.

But surely I can't be the only one who is feeling really uncomfortable using ORC in the branding of material I create and want to release? I'm not even feeling super strongly about the issue and don't feel bothered by people wanting to use orcs in their own material.
But forcing me to decide branding my material as ORC license or not releasing it at all really is a situation I don't want to be in. And surely there are many more people who feel the same or even more strongly.

If the goal is to create something that brings people together in a common creative space, then I don't think a cute pun is worth the alienation it brings because of it's controversial and problematic name.

Under any other name, I would totally be on board with it. But like this, it might make me scrap my plans to release the material I created for my favorite game system.

Yeah not to be a real Debbie downer but Ukrainians have dubbed Russian invaders to be Orcs and this branding will probably be offensive in that part of the world.

Whatever anyone's personal views are on orcs being harmless fun or offensive and toxic, it's been the most controversial and divisive topic in RPGs and fantasy in recent memory.

Huh. I thought the OGL has been the most controversial and divisive topic in RPGs and fantasy in recent memory…

I am so happy to see so many companies on this list. Especially Nord Games. Hopefully this mammoth effort will swing the axe in WotC's direction and the idiots at the top bail/are booted for all their dumb, bone headed decisions over this whole OGL thing.

They are not forcing anyone to use the acronym

No Darrington Press eh?

How sad.
Well at least they have their loyal fanbase.

im sure its a legality thing since it is own by CR. they are not allowed legality wise to do anything until they can gt out of ther currant conctracts with wizards

This list is really awesome to see, and it quells my concerns that the ORC would also end up with the poison pill that is a morality clause, something that can and absolutely will be used to abuse creators by online mobs and weird Twitterati with an ax to grind against someone. Anything like that would be enough for me to immediately withdraw my support from this initiative as well.

While I'm still angry with WOTC, the primary emotion I'm feeling is excitement for what will emerge now out of the indie (or at least non-monolithic) publishing scene, where I was already spending all my table top money anyway.

Can't wait to devote a new bookshelf to the collaborations that come out of this!

I keep expecting to see Evil Hat on these lists, and then remembering their content is already under the Creative Commons.

I guess this stuff's old hat to them.

I hope they get involved. Some form of license compatibility with CC would be valuable, and indeed they have a lot of experience in open gaming.

WOW! Now that is a lineup I am awed by. And it's not even everybody! Keep up the good work and I wish you all the best. You're keeping the spirit alive!

For real though. Mongoose was the last publisher I expected to agree to ORK since they usually just do their own thing

As always Piazo leads Huzzah! I am one of those (very minor) publishers,I have submitted to back the ORC but I haven't gotten any emails yet. Did I mess it up? Or haven't there been any?

...

If the goal is to create something that brings people together in a common creative space, then I don't think a cute pun is worth the alienation it brings because of it's controversial and problematic name.
...

I feel like I am missing something here. What is controversial and problematic about the name ORC?

My friends and I only registered our LLC last week, were still working on our first book (hope to publish in the spring/early summer). Looking forward to joining on with Ramtown Games.

It's telling when 3 of the biggest VTT joined in, they don't like what Wizards is brewing either.

Can any gaming company join the ORC alliance? Does anyone know, and if so steps to join? I want in! Lol

Can any gaming company join the ORC alliance? Does anyone know, and if so steps to join? I want in! Lol

There is a link to join in on the blog post of the 12th. I would link but none of them work for me. D’oh.

Pretty pretty please, do everything you can to “save” PF1E. Allow us to continue publishing our own materials for it.

Ulisses Spiele (the German publisher for Pathfinder and many other RPGs) also put out a message yesterday that they are supporting the ORC and will try to convince other German companies to join in.

They also said if there need to be any adjustments made to accommodate German law, they're willing to have it figured out and will pay for the legal work.

Not just PF, but The Dark Eye since 2007, which is one of the most popular German-based RPG's.

I feel like I am missing something here. What is controversial and problematic about the name ORC?

Nothing, but some people have a tragically chronic case of "Why wasn't I consulted"

Leon Aquilla wrote:

Darrington Press isn't the same as CR. Tal'Dorei Reborn is 5e compatible but not printed under the D&D brand. I'd be shocked if they were foolish enough to lock it in with some exclusive license*.

*Especially because they didn't even get to use the D&D brand on it!

Actually, page 280 of Tal'Dorei Reborn is the Open Game License v1.0a. This book may have needed to be done that way because much of the book is the same as the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting book that was released by Green Ronin back in 2017, and pg 143 of that book is the 1.0a Open Game License. If something was once released under 1.0a, I don't think you can legally do a "2nd edition" that is closed or not part of the Open Game Licensed.

I think you could.

Mongoose?! Oh the irony... they're so tight-fisted with the Traveller rules. I have to use Cepheus on FoundryVTT :(

In case you hadn't seen this:

https://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/threads/traveller-open-content-new-pro gramme-on-the-way.123770/

Looks like meat is back on the menu boys!

In case you hadn't seen this:

https://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/threads/traveller-open-content-new-pro gramme-on-the-way.123770/

Oh hey! Everything's coming up Milhouse!

Pretty pretty please, do everything you can to “save” PF1E. Allow us to continue publishing our own materials for it.

Thank you good sir.

Skyhammer Studios wrote:

Can any gaming company join the ORC alliance? Does anyone know, and if so steps to join? I want in! Lol

There is a link to join in on the blog post of the 12th. I would link but none of them work for me. D’oh.

Thank you! Will check it out.

Heck yes! Proud to say I've supported a bunch of these amazing people through patreon, kickstarter or other 3p purchases. Love the energy, honesty and intention of this movement. Can't wait to join it as both a consumer and creator ♥

I don't want to tell Paizo how to do their job, but I think that this license needs its own Orc ORC mascot. I would love to see some original art for the license of like a green-skinned hero writing a contract.

Thank you to those who have created wonderful adventures for us all to enjoy! Pathfinder reawakened the joy of playing RPG's over a decade ago and I love supporting a company that truly loves the spirit of the game. Thank you!

Homebrew idea: The Looming Tower on the western sea coast, has slowly become plagued by some deep, dark, insidious influence. From the outside, all seems normal enough, but there is a sinister influence.... A few brave souls enslaved from within the Looming Tower have put their lives on the line, seeing what the future holds, in desperation, have sent secret messages out to those who will listen.

A band of ORCs, seeing the influence and power this stronghold has over the region decides to do something about it. They will need help. Unlikely alliances are forged and a plan begins to take root.

Will you answer the call to arms?

Can any gaming company join the ORC alliance? Does anyone know, and if so steps to join? I want in! Lol

Jan 12 blog post

I'll be honest, I haven't played Pathfinder, aside from a little bit of the starter set adventure. But this whole fiasco brings me back here. Good on Paizo for leading the charge. Let's hope ORC becomes what everyone wished OGL could've been.

I really wish we could see the whole list. For instance, I don't see Drop Dead Studios on there - but really wish I did. I don't know if they HAVE officially expressed support - I just hope they do - and not knowing is uncomfortable.. :-)

Per their Discord DDS is in

Bardess wrote:

Pretty pretty please, do everything you can to “save” PF1E. Allow us to continue publishing our own materials for it.

Thank you good sir.

I am a lady, but you’re welcome.

Samurai Sheepdog is proud to be a part of this effort! :D

I signed up for the ORC Alliance because I want to work to publish my own stuff for the time being. It's exciting to say the least!

I don't want to tell Paizo how to do their job, but I think that this license needs its own Orc ORC mascot. I would love to see some original art for the license of like a green-skinned hero writing a contract.

The ORC is gonna be applicable to all kinds of TTRPGs, not just classic/high/dark fantasies. So I think they'll want to avoid having an actual orc associated with the license's logo, so TTRPGs that lack orcs in their system can still slap the ORC license on their books.

Maybe in terms of art unrelated to the logo itself, I wouldn't mind.

Well, this probably isn't the way WotC were hoping 6E would unite the tabletop community...

I don't want to tell Paizo how to do their job, but I think that this license needs its own Orc ORC mascot. I would love to see some original art for the license of like a green-skinned hero writing a contract.

Seconded

I will never buy another WotC product until they state unequivocally that they will not sue any other producer of RPG content over their created content, VTT or otherwise.

The OGL is Dead! Long Live the ORC!

Glad to see there's such universal buy-in for this. A united front is needed for something like this succeed, and I have high hopes!

Glad to see there's such universal buy-in for this. A united front is needed for something like this succeed, and I have high hopes!

I have high hopes as well!

Makes me want to name studio after orcs in some way, except I love wizardry and that might seem like a mixed message.

Ooh, idea, I can name my studio Monstrous Mages, and gave an orc wizard and kobold sorcerer as mascots. Does that sound cool?