I'm interested on what is possible or not possible to include in a 3rd party book, if I want it eligible for "Pathfinder Compatible".
Examples:
1) Actual Game Mechanics of the core rulebook, like the feat Dodge.
2) Actual Game mechanics, but evolved from 1 (the feat "Improved Dodge", my imaginary invention).
3) A whole mechanic, based on the Core ones but without a direct connection to it (like a new feat, "Legendary Barmaid", or the new skill, "Swear").
4) New uses for old skills (use Acrbatics for a new whole effect).
5) Mechanics not PF core, but OGL like taint and incantation in the SRD
6) NPC built with core or APG (OGL). As an example, an Hobgoblin Fighter built as a Two-Handed Fighter of the APG. Can I stat him, writing things like Piledriver or Devastating Blow?
Can I use all, of some of the things above, writing them clearly in a stat block? Or I can just refer to the OGL ones ("see session 5 Core Rulebook")?
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Can I use all, of some of the things above, writing them clearly in a stat block? Or I can just refer to the OGL ones ("see session 5 Core Rulebook")?
You can write them as part of a statblock or you can refer to soure
This is all OGL and requires you to use the Section 15.
Refering to them requires the PCL and has specific formating (see the PCL) not the least of which is applying for the PCL
First and foremost, thank you for your answer :)
Secondly, let see if I understood correctly: everything of the above is fair (from point 1 to point 6), assuming I write the section 15 AND paizo approve it?
Taint mechanics and incantations included? (point 5)
If I build an "Hobgoblin A**kicker" this way:
Hobgoblin Two handed fighter 8
LE Medium humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +2
Defense
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19 (+9 armor, +1 Dex)
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee greatsword +14 (2d6+10/19–20)
Melee greatsword +14/+9 (2d6+7, 2d6 +10)
[...]
Can I list his class features? At least to explain the damage due to Overhead Chop and Backswing?
At High levels, should/could/must I write as a whole Devastating Blow? Or I can only list it as an attack option and point out APG session?
Your not understanding what I am saying
There are two sets of rules to follow depending on what your wanting to do if all you want to do is publish the Open Gaming Content statblock all you need is the Open Gaming Licence and if its product from beyond the WotC SRD you have to include that product in the section 15
If you want to says
"See Pathfinder(R) Roleplying Game(tm) Core Rulebook"
or have the Pathfinder compatibility licence on the cover of your product
Then you have to have an independent third party agreement which is what the Pathfinder Compatility Licence is for (You have to sign up for it and be added to the list of licencees).
Now It's clearer - thank you for your patience.
You are essentially saying that I can do the things listed (1-6) assuming the use of section 15.
BUT if I want the PF compatibility logo on the cover AND/OR say "see Core Rulebook" somewhere in my product... that is another thing and falls under requesting the Pathfinder Compatility Licence (PCL).
Right?
Yes
BUT you don't request it, you fill out a form and you get listed (there is no approval process).
As Steve said, you don't request the license, you agree to follow the license. Go to http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/compatibility, read the page, then check the box at the bottom before clicking "Submit Application". That gets you listed on the Compatibility License Registry. After that, just make sure to abide by the OGL and the Pathfinder RPG Compatibility license.
Robert
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Thank you all for your patience and attention.
Just a doubt: in the 3.5 SRD there are sanity rules.
Pathfinder GM guide contains rules about sanity.
Can I choose which one use? Or even mix them?
Unless you put the Pathfinder Logo on the cover as you have to be "Wholly Compatible" with the core rules if you use the PCL
Unless you put the Pathfinder Logo on the cover as you have to be "Wholly Compatible" with the core rules if you use the PCL
Acutally, the license states:
You agree to use your best efforts to ensure that the licensed products are fully compatible with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game as published in August, 2009.
The Sanity rules in the GMG were not published in August 2009. That would indicate to me that fully compatible sanity rules are not a requirement. If you want to use a hybrid 3.5/PFRPG sanity rules system, as long as you fully detail it, it should be fine.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.
This is interesting indeed.. because I wanted to build a planar-rift mechanic, an make it Open Content (ours it's just a fan-made project.. gone "too far").
If I want to make the product with the logo, the only mechanics are of PFRPG? I cannot use them AND add 1-2 new ones typical of the setting?
As long as any new mechanics work with the core rules and not against them, and as long as new mechanics are not expected to replace the core rules, you should be compatible. Our products have added new classes, new feats, new skill uses, new combat maneuvers, new familiar types (not just more familiars, but types that function differently), etc. Other 3PP have done similar things, and even more.
Just make sure that Pathfinder players don't need anything other than your book and the Core rulebook to use your material and you should be fine.
Robert
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
As long as any new mechanics work with the core rules and not against them, and as long as new mechanics are not expected to replace the core rules, you should be compatible. Our products have added new classes, new feats, new skill uses, new combat maneuvers, new familiar types (not just more familiars, but types that function differently), etc. Other 3PP have done similar things, and even more.
Just make sure that Pathfinder players don't need anything other than your book and the Core rulebook to use your material and you should be fine.
Robert
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
First and foremost, I want to thank you all, again, for you patience.
You answer just raised a last point: can I create a mechanic that borrows on APG too? Say an advanced maneuver based on Reposition or Dirty Trick?
Kaiyanwang, please forgive my intrusion, but what is your intention? Do you want to be a publisher? Are you writing material for a current publisher? Is this for your own personal knowledge. Reason I'm asking is this: you're asking alot of rather basic questions. If you want to be a publisher, there are alot of little things that can trip up someone. If you want to have a book that you wrote with your name on the cover, I recommend talking to an existing publisher. We, publishers, have the experience to know what you can and cannot use and can answer all your questions as well as get your book into distribution, market it, handle collection of money and so on. And we'll pay you.
If you just want to know for your own personal knowledge, feel free to ask anything you want.
Well.. it's kinda like that.. it's sort of an homebrew project I'm building up with my friends.. we like mix and mash a lot with rules and settings and adventures.
We came with a setting peculiar for rules and flavour, that borrows few things from 3.5 SRD (see above my questions). Since we are several different people with different professional profiles and knowledge, we came with a crazy idea of publish the setting and ard art and stuff.
Not to make money, but just to satisfy our ingenuity and our teamwork. We game and generally speaking create things together and we are friends from a long time.
I want to point out that it's a work in progress, but I wanted to aske ahead instead of repent after.