BRP Licensing...

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by Rurik

(Can we get a don't feed the troll smiliey by the way?)

Certainly not! Do you want me to starve!?

SGL.

[Jason Durall]

I'm not trying to defend Chaosium's email response times, because that's their business, but if I were, for example, trying to reach them about a professional matter, I'd do all of these three things:

1. Email them, being sure to c.c. at least two of the people there (their individual emails are easy to get)
2. Send them a physical letter (registered is best)
3. Call them directly via the phone # they post on their site

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

3. Call them directly via the phone # they post on their site

I think that would option 1 for me if I wanted to make a proposal or see a license. I'd think it would just about guarantee a response of some sort. Even a "call back later".

[lawrence.whitaker]

Thinking about it, I will probably buy the first Gwenthia-book anyway, and see how much a hassle it will be to convert.

I really hope you do.

Converting between BRP and MRQ is really NOT going to be such a hassle. The magic systems are designed with both systems in mind; the background is dense, multi-layered, and can be used with many systems.

Gwenthia will be published independently. It will conform to the SRD and OGL, but it'll be produced by The Design Mechanism, the name of thje collective who created the world. All profits generated will go into producing additional books; Mongoose won't see a penny of it.

The reasons for taking Gwenthia in this direction are many, but can be summarised as follows...

1. Communication. Yes, The Design Mechanism was frustrated by the lack of communication, but on its own, it wasn't the only reason for going MRQ.

2. Flexibility. MRQ operates under an SRD and OGL which gives us great scope and freedom to publish the system we want without having to wait for the BRP rules to be published or negotiate with Chaosium on how the rules, or the BRP licence, is applied to the finished article. Also, staying independent would allow us to perhaps include BRP conversion notes without having any license issues.

3. Control. The Design Mechanism has about 10 members - all contributors to the project, and all have a say in how the book and setting should develop. Whilst I'm certainly NOT saying that we'd lose control over Gwenthia if we went with a Chaosium contract, there is that possibility. And that's what we were discussing; a contract for Chaosium to produce Gwenthia - not for the DM to sublicense BRP.

4. Money. By remaining independent and MRQ, we can do this on a much, much, lower budget. We do not need to pay for any form of license to use BRP, and that lets us focus on other things.

Ultimately, whatever your feelings about Chaosium, Mongoose, BRP or MRQ, Gwenthia is a setting first and foremost, developed as a place for great gaming (and it is. I've run games in many areas of Gwenthia and had a comnplete blast). MRQ will support the system as well as BRP, but the Gwenthia variant will have the following additions:

Magic: several completely new magic systems that are unlike any of the MRQ magic systems. Or BRP's, for that matter.

Combat: Pete Nash's brilliant combat rules will be the system used here.

Religion: These are the main areas we need to develop before going to publication. It'll be very different to MRQ's cult structures.

Creatures: A brand new bestiary, with creatures that fit ecological niches and have sound, believable rationales. If you've seen what we've done with the Iqari and She'eth, you'll see what sort of design approach we're taking.

Enough thread-jacking from me, but I wanted to just outline why Gwenthia's going the way it is, and just make clear that Chaosium hasn't 'lost' it just because comms was lacking; there are other reasons outweighing that.

[Sunwolfe]

Very interesting Loz...much appreciate the info I'll have to check the Gwenthia material out.

Cheers,
Sunwolfe

[soltakss]

Originally Posted by jarulf

If you can't say who your source is, then why post about it at all until, and if, you can?

It's his forum - he can do what he likes!

Anyway, I like a bit of sh*t-stirring now and again.

[Trifletraxor]

Appears I jumped to conclusions (again). They had been in contact with Chaosium per phone too, they just haven't heard anything back from them after that. But patience is virtue don't they say?

SGL.

[jarulf]

Originally Posted by soltakss

It's his forum - he can do what he likes!

True enough, I just failed to see the point.
/shrug

[Lord Twig]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

Appears I jumped to conclusions (again). They had been in contact with Chaosium per phone too, they just haven't heard anything back from them after that. But patience is virtue don't they say?

SGL.

Forget patience! Call them again and hassle them! Good chance they will do the, "Oh yeah! I've been meaning to call you!" type thing.