Some Updates and Clarifications On This Project
about 3 years ago – Mon, Feb 27, 2023 at 12:05:53 PM

Regarding the State of OSE and the OGL.

All right folks. I am sure that most of you have seen the new Dolmenwood updates regarding how that is shaping up and the related OSE updates that accompany them. Some folks are worried about some of the language that Necrotic Gnome used regarding OSE. Being that they are not 100% certain if they will be making alteration adding things from DW etc. Coupled with the fact that Gavin is stating that the overhaul on OSE (if there is an overhaul) will not be happening until 2024 (potentially problematic for this project) and we have more worry. Let me run over things from our perspective here. 

First and foremost, this project was intended as a supplement to OSE with house rules taken from my own campaigns and other optional rules, classes etc. I have tinkered with through many editions of D&D in the past. If there are changes coming to OSE, I would like to have the portions of this work that dovetail into those reflective of that. It does us little good to put out an OSE compatible product just before changes come, if it will not be compatible at that point.

To this end, I am in contact with Gavin and have been since the OGL news broke. I am trying to at least get his general idea of what will be changing in OSE in the future. My hope is that the changes are (for the most part where the OGL is concerned) only minor. I am currently working on things with no changes, but I may have to pivot. If that is the case, all of you backers will be the first to know.

Clarifications On the Kickstarter

For Clarification purposes on this KS. A few people back for just one book. To Clarify, if you backed for JUST the Class/Character book, this does not give you access to the spells for new classes at present. This was offered as it's own reward strictly for those curious, or those that would latter add on the Grimoire but did not want the Combat book. That said, I am rethinking how these books will be structured, but a lot of it pends on NG's response. 

If Changes Need To Happen

If I decide, or it is dictated that changes will need to happen to the works as I had envisioned them, either for compatibility reasons or ease of use, I will put together a survey for everyone on the KS to vote on. That is only "IF".

Current Kickstarter

Just in case you missed it in the last update, for your patience in going through this with us we have offered you a discounted tier in our current ZineQuest 5 Kickstarter. If you would like to take advantage of it, you can find it here:  Demonology For OSE. It ends tomorrow at 12:00 PM EST!

Thank you for backing and your support through this time of upheaval in our hobby.

Ryan Thompson

Appendix N Entertainment

February Update
about 3 years ago – Tue, Feb 07, 2023 at 07:49:38 AM

Hey all!

We are still awaiting any movement regarding the future of what OSE will look like, what will change etc. I am going to be moving ahead and writing things that I can. Much of this will fall in the rules and combat book, as that is where the most material that will not rely on any text etc. within OSEs rules will lie. We will keep you abrest of everything as we learn more from Necrotic Gnome.

Additionally, per our last update the Demonology zine (featuring classic D&D Demons stated for OSE) has launched! For bearing with us through all of this, you get a discounted tier! You can find the zine here:

Demonology For OSE

As always, thank you for your support and patience!

Ryan Thompson

Appendix N Entertainment

Going Forward
about 3 years ago – Sun, Jan 29, 2023 at 12:17:09 PM

Alright folks. Time to address the things that cropped up in the past month.

1. Per our last update, it was unclear on if this project would be moving forward as OSE compatible or not. Necrotic Gnome has spoken and OSE is here to stay... in one form or another, so these books will still be made to be OSE compatible!

2. The OGL. While it still exists, WOTC has stated it will remain "unchanged." This means that it is still revokable until we hear otherwise. That is still potentially problematic for those products released under it OR using any content released under it over the past 23 years. Therefore, unless Necrotic Gnome deems that OSE will remain on the OGL AND require that the OGL be used within OSE compatible products, it is unlikely that these books will use that license.

3. Assuming that Necrotic Gnome goes with a different license to release OSE under, we will likely publish under that license. Time will tell.

4. This project is still mostly on hiatus until we know what OSE and its license will look like in the future. To be clear I will be writing "some" of these books, but I do not want to write in a lot of material that needs to be combed through later and have things removed or changed that may not exist in OSE in the future, pending what license is used in its publication.

5.  ZineQuest 5: We will be producing our last OGL 1.0A compatible product for ZQ5.  This will be a book of demons including the classic D&D demons and Demon princes on the OGL! For your patience on this project, there will be special tiers for you to get this zine (both in physical and/or pdf) at a deep discount. These tiers will require your backer number from this KS to get them at the discount.

Thank you for supporting us and hangin in there over this past month and going forward as we follow NG and the way they choose to move forward.

Ryan Thompson

Appendix N Entertainment 

Please Stand By
over 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 09, 2023 at 09:54:34 AM

Hello all,

I felt it appropriate to address you all regarding the recent news centered on the OGL and potential removal of OGL 1.0a, which OSE and our compatible works are based upon. That said, Necrotic Gnome released a "non-statement" regarding this over the weekend. You can read it here. This announcement also has a link to an article regarding the OGL news, if you have not heard.

Overall, I will likely be following along with NGs contingency plan. This assumes that WOTC backs down and announces that the 1.0a license will stay in effect or that NGs contingency plan is one that we CAN follow. If we cannot, we will pivot. I will be ceasing work on this KS for the moment, in case things need to change to keep if OSE compatible. In a worst case scenario, being that OSE compatiblity is not attainable OR that OSE gains a new format/license that we cannot abide by, Gateway to Adventure (these three books) would be reformatted to become their own game. We will keep you abrest of the situation as things progress in the coming weeks.

I am truly sorry for all of the problems that WOTC is potentially bringing to our community.

Ryan Thompson

Appendix N Entertainment

New Year, New Update
over 3 years ago – Fri, Jan 06, 2023 at 07:21:54 PM

Alright folks, several things to touch on in this one.

First and foremost, writing has begun on the classes. There are some rules sections that need to be added to the class book, all pertaining to the characters, and so I am changing the title from "Class Compendium" to "Character Compendium". 

"Combat Conspectus" currently looks to be the shortest of the trilogy. If it is drastically shorter and new non-class rules in "Character Compendium" make it significantly longer, the may be moved to the Conspectus and the title may change to suit all of the material.

As I get writing and layout moving I am getting a better idea of what art will be needed on the interiors. Artists will begin receiving their assignements in the next month or so. As far as cover art, these artists will be kicked off in the next couple of weeks. The covers will be reflective of the mocked up AI art ones presented in the KS. 

Speaking of the covers, in the KS it was mentioned that the AI art present on "Caster's Codex" might be staying around. This will not be the case. We are taking a hard stance on not having AI art present in our books. It is great to use for presenting concepts and for personal use at the gaming table, but there are far too many great artists out there trying to make a living to use AI art. Doing so is an insult to real artists.

Next up, printing. I have been investigating a new printer. If they pull off good printer proofs (once we are to that point) we will likely be able to print these books WITH SEWN BINDING despite not reaching that stretch goal! Time will be the judge of this.

Thank you for backing!

Ryan Thompson

Appendix N Entertainment