Jon Chambers's page

Yes, everything noted. I am certain I'm in the clear here. Pathfinder is just my favourite game, and I was worried there might be something anal like "You can't use the word 'charisma' when describing an attribute on a character sheet! That's IP!" or something to that effect.

The text is not applicable to me. This game is not even close to being close to being compatible. The Game Mastery Guide is still a good read that I'd recommend people buy no matter what system you're using. (Or at least the first 50 pages have been. Not sure how s~%# the rest will be yet.) Still, if recommending people buy that book is bad, I won't recommend it.

But it seems I am very much in the clear here.

Just saw the section you were referring to. Yes, that's specific enough for me. Thank you very much.

Thank you Terek. I think your wise words are enough. If my game becomes large enough to be worthy of litigation, that would be quite the compliment.

To play things SUPER safe, the game uses d6, not d20. It's post nuclear apocalypse, not high magic.

Also, until I have expressed permission, I will not attempt to promote Paizo in any way. (It's a shame, I'd like to.)

Perhaps asking for the rules to be relaxed was a bit ambitious and, more so, unnecessary. Though where could I find a list of things I'm not allowed to do?

Can I use the word Pathfinder if I don't say anything misleading or damaging? (Eg. Can I say, "My system is different from Pathfinder in the following ways:"?)

Is there any rules or mechanics that, if I have, would have me liable for litigation?

Are there any terms or things that they have as IP? (eg. Dungeons and Dragons has "Dungeon Master" and "Beholder")

Can I suggest Paizo products that would work well with people using my product?

Can I include an honest personal review of Paizo products, and recommendations on what to buy and what to avoid?

Is there anything else I'm not allowed to do that I've forgotten to ask about?

I'm not planning on doing all the things I'm suggesting, but it's good to know the rules just in case I decide to later.

Compatibility license is very much unnecessary. Although I could argue that it's compatible with the Game Mastery Guide, it's no more compatible than GURPS is, for example. That book works with anything.

I am developing a new RPG system, but given that Pathfinder is my favourite so far, I fear I may inadvertently use IP or something copyrighted, leaving myself open for litigation.

I don't actually intend to compete with Pathfinder. On the contrary, I seek to promote Pathfinder. I want to be able to state that I am a fan of Pathfinder, built a game that took inspiration from Pathfinder and even use Pathfinder as a point of reference when describing what makes my game so new and different.

My game, is essentially Pathfinder, without any complex character creation or combat. It's almost the opposite of the Beginner Box. All the huge open world player driven narrative that the beginner box lacks, my game has. All the combat, game play, minis and maps that the Beginner Box has, my game lacks.

This means my game will get potential Pathfinder players into the hobby by teaching them how to play a character and think outside the box, rather than teaching them about turn based combat, status effects, hit points and tactical positioning.

This allows people to experience a deeper, more enjoyable higher level of play that most Pathfinder players don't experience until their 4th or 5th session if they're lucky. I even want to include something to the effect of "If you enjoyed this game, but wished that combat was more detailed and provided you with more interesting and tactical choices than a single skill check, buy a copy of Pathfinder." Then possibly a guide to help them choose if the Beginner Box or the Core Rulesbook is more appropriate for them.

So, I'd like to hear the usual rules for Copyright and Intellectual Property, and given the potential free marketing opportunity I'm presenting you with, I'd like to get in touch with someone who has the authority to relax the usual rules and grant special permission to use certain things provided I make it clear that I am merely a fan of Paizo, and that Paizo is in no other way connected with my product.

The thing is, telling the players "Your salary shall be paid in dead bandits", it's not going to be quite as role-play heavy, getting Olaf and Svetlana to talk the players into killing bandits, which I think will detract from the game.

"Olaf, we have come for the taxes!"

"Taxes? Don't add insult to injury by pretending you're not running a protection racket."

"No, we're legit! Look at this. This charter says we are tax collectors. The Stag Lord signed it and everything!"

(read in the voice of Ricky Gervais)
"Halt! What are you doing in these dangerous woods?"

"Just traveling. Thought we might do a bit of exploring on the way."

"Charters?"

"What?"

"Do you have charters to travel through these woods?"

"Oh, yes, that, well, we did have a charter, but we lost it."

"What?"

"I had it in my pocket, went to sleep, woke up the next morning, gone. I think some tiny fey-folk took it."

"Tiny fey-folk? Hey! What are you doing!?"

"Nothing"

"Nothing? You're not doing nothing. What are you doing."

"Just drawing."

"You're mapping, that's what you're doing! Look guys, we have a system here. Do you think we can let just anyone travel and explore here for mapping? Go back, get the king to write you a new charter, then come back here and show it to me. Go on. Off you go then."

Okay guys, this one shall be the most epic prank on the discussion so far...

When the PCs go to sleep, immediately ask the players to read aloud all the items in their backpacks for your personal reference. If they ask why, just smile and refuse to answer.

When the players awake, they see their bags, UPSIDE DOWN!!!

As the players go through their bag to see which possessions have been stolen, read aloud the following text, making sure to prolong the pauses:

"Much to your shock and horror... you discover... that ALL of the items you have placed in your bag... are now... ... ... STORED NEATLY!!!"

If you can create as much horror as possible in the way you say "stored neatly", you may get a player yelling "WHAT THE F@+#!!!"

See, thieves, players can handle. But beings that pack their possessions neatly, that's just creepy! It will mess with them, trying to work out who would pack their possessions neatly and then leave their bags upside down.

You could also have them wake up to find they are surrounded by a gang of spear wielding potatoes. Have the players roll initiative. Once each has had their combat round, explain that the potatoes are just normal potatoes with small spears attached.

Ah, thanks guys. It's been a real help. So, in essence, the charter says, "Anyone killed by these people, deserved it. Please collect payment in the corpses you loot."

Wow, well selected charter! The game mechanic doesn't need to change at all to make that work!

Can someone help me get my head around this? The charter that comes later in the game, serious cash money for taking out a fortress, awesome. But the first charter of the game, thematically, I don't get it. "I hereby give you permission to explore a bandit ridden forest," seems to be the gist of it, and every time I read through it I always think, "and the payment is...?"

Yes, there is lots of treasure and what-not hidden in the stolen lands, and the commission to come later makes the first commission worth while and XP is a currency of its self, which the exploration gives, etc.

However, this is not my question. My question is, what good is a charter that gives permission to enter a dangerous forest? Can't that be done without a charter?

I'm sure I'm missing something. There is no way a campaign that is otherwise perfectly water-tight can have such a gaping hole. What did I miss? I'm confused.

Can someone help me get my head around this? The charter that comes later in the game, serious cash money for taking out a fortress, awesome. But the first charter of the game, thematically, I don't get it. "I hereby give you permission to explore a bandit ridden forest," seems to be the gist of it, and every time I read through it I always think, "and the payment is...?"

I'm sure I'm missing something. There is no way a campaign that is otherwise perfectly water-tight can have such a gaping hole. What did I miss?