----- Original Message ----- From: "Brad Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I'm disappointed. You're usually much more scrupulous with the facts than > that Clark. Nobody has alleged horrible content. I said that placing > protected-IP monsters in the SRD might be more trouble for 3rd party > developers than it was worth, and gave examples of why. I also questioned > the wisdom of fragmenting the existing MM monsters into different > interpretations, and asked if people thought it would hurt or harm D&D. > Neither of these opinions were "whiney gripes", they are simply examining > the issues for a *DRAFT* version of the SRD and trying to determine what can > and can't be done.
But the point Clark is making, and others have tried to make is that only the background info on MindFlayers is PI.. the monster can be used as it is in the SRD. It is people who want to tie directly to existing PI to make adventures, etc that are having the problem. Clark even demonstrated that he had been able to use the MindFlayer without problems. All you have to do is as follows: Room 13: This rough, 10'x10' room is filled to overcrowding with piles of books, scrolls, and other old tomes. Dimly lit by a single small lantern, it is barely illuminated enough to pass through without stumbling. Near the northeast corner, huddled over an ancient tome, rests a MindFlayer.. [Stat block for Mindflayer] For a single room encounter, do I really need to describe the mindflayer in greater detail? Do I need to include copious pages of background material? Do I need to go into the deep, dark secrets of their race? If you want to safely imply slave ownership, etc then work it in, indirectly, such as adding the following to the above room desc. Room 13: This rough, 10'x10' room is filled to overcrowding with piles of books, scrolls, and other old tomes. Dimly lit by a single small lantern, it is barely illuminated enough to pass through without stumbling. Near the northeast corner, huddled over an ancient tome, rests a MindFlayer. Huddled on the ground next to the Mindflayer, shackled and looking the worse for wear, rests a weary slave who notices your entrance into the room. With pleading eyes he stares at you for a moment before his eyes glaze over and the MindFlayer turns to stare at you, the tentacles around his mouth writhing as he stands, placing the books he had held onto the large pile beside him. I have just infered that the MindFlayer is humanoid, or at least most people would get the impression he has hands, can stand, etc. I have just given him a slave without stating why he has slaves, and have glazed the eyes of the slave, indicating that something happened.. without saying that the MindFlayer is controlling him. All of this should be ok.. If I am incorrect, then someone could point out how this violates the license, as I haven't refered to any specifics, at least not as near as I can tell. Hell, if you get really desperate, just do what so many others have done and include: See MM, page 136 This promotes the sale of the MM, which benefits WotC and allows you the luxury of knowing that players can look up what it looks like, read up on the society, etc. It takes all of the mess out of your hands and puts it in the hands of the GM/DM, where it belongs. If you feel compelled to add MindFlayer art into your adventure, just do a face shot :) -R _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
