OGL and OSR Publishing

It has been interesting to read the discussions about publishing and the OGL going on right now across the interwebs.

I'm interested because I'm literally dealing with similar questions right now.

I plan on using the OGL for my Barrowmaze Megadungeon. I'm specifically wrapping my mind around Section 6:

6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.

So, by my limited understanding I must include each and every Section 15 (in their entirety) in my own Section 15 for each piece of OGC I employ. Correct?

So, say for example I've pulled OGC monsters from the Labyrinth Lord Core Book, The Advanced Edition Companion, the S&W Core Book, the S&W monster book, The Tomes of Horror I, II, and III, as well as various OSR modules and blogs - I will have a ginormous Section 15. Moreover, this section could potentially be filled with material that I don't even use in my dungeon but need to include to stay within the confines of the license. If that makes sense. God help the people who have to cite my Section 15...

Merry Christmas

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I won't be posting for the next week or so, but your (somewhat) regular blogging schedule will return thereafter.

I've got some exciting plans for both academic and RPG self-publishing in 2012 and I look forward to sharing those shortly.

All the best to you and yours.

Hirst Arts Double Doors

One thing has always bugged me about the Hirst Arts fieldstone molds - they only have single doors. Now, the doors across all the HA molds are quite good. However, the mundane sameness of single doors really started to bug me after awhile. So, I decided to make some from scratch.

I miked a two square arch and then cut a piece of hardboard to size and then cut that in half (this is the same hardboard I use under all my HA pieces). I then bought some wooden stir sticks from the dollar store and glued them on, and cut off the extra. I added some cross beams and some on the bottom to serve as a base. The stir sticks give them a natural look of wood. I made a mold of the mock-up and then poured them in excalibur plaster yesterday. I should have used resin plastic but didn't have any handy (and I'm impatient like that). So here are some pics of the final product. Still need a bit of sanding here and there, but not much. I'll post some painted pics (probably after Christmas).




(As a complete aside, I'm playing in my fantasy football championship this weekend coming up. $500 bucks on the line. Just thought I'd share.)

Wanted: Old School Artists

I'm looking for old school artists to provide interior illustration for my Barrowmaze dungeon.

I've contacted a couple and combed a few forums, but I'm sure there are others.

Stefan Poag and Pete Mullen are obvious no-brainers.

I'm looking for good black and white line art.

Do you have a favorite OSR illustrator or can you make a suggestion?

Hirst Arts: Custom Pieces

I've been pecking away at some unique pieces for my Hirst Arts Dungeon.

I'll spare you a narrative and just put a few notes below where appropriate.

I wanted a few floor pieces with sewer grates and trapdoors for the odd situation that might come up. These were custom done using some tiles from Megaminiatures (please support them). These were slightly less than one inch HA tiles, so it took some fine dremel work to fit them in. I made the prototypes and then poured a mold.


To break the monotony of simple walls, I created some pillared and decorative walls. These have different styles on both sides.




I may re-make all my doors without arches for easier gaming (and less sanding). This is a test piece.

To provide some floor variation, I created four 3x3 pieces that can be turned to create different 30x30 room patterns.





This is a one piece floor. The previous pieces can be added to extend the pattern.


Here are two kinds of columns that can be used for a variety of purposes.


Finally, here's a pick of all the new pieces in action.


Thanks for checking out the blog. Please leave comments :)

Jeff Dee's Kickstarter Project: Queen of the Demonweb Pits

In case you haven't heard, former TSR artist Jeff Dee has initiated a new Kickstarter project wherein he will re-create his artwork from Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits. How great is that? Be sure to have a look.