I might not mind a lot of this so much if a lot of this content was actually available, which it still isn't...also if wizards hadn't been forcing people into this content by hitting every other option with a ban, with no reasons given, to prevent anyone from using them. In the last 6 month I have seen loads of content removed from dms guild, the app stor, and several other places.
I might not mind a lot of this so much if a lot of this content was actually available, which it still isn't...also if wizards hadn't been forcing people into this content by hitting every other option with a ban, with no reasons given, to prevent anyone from using them. In the last 6 month I have seen loads of content removed from dms guild, the app stor, and several other places.
What content is not available? No one is forcing you to use the content here. you are more than welcome to create your own for personal use only.
They only banned those that were using the information illegally and not licensing it through WOTC. All that stuff removed was things not in accordance with the legal rights of WOTC, therefore it was removed.
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I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
I feel like people think dmsguild allows people to use wotc copyright. Remember people... If you make money with copyrighted stuff that is not your own or licenced to you then you are illegal. Of course its gonna be removed.
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DM of two gaming groups. Likes to create stuff. Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games --> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
...hitting every other option with a ban, with no reasons given...
Here are the reasons: Trademark infringement, which legally has to be acted against or WotC would loose their right to claim said trademarks (specific example: if any website/app/tool-set/whatever gives you details to "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion" instead of the "Magnificent Mansion" spell covered in the SRD, WotC literally has to issue a cease and desist order or loose their legal claim to the name Mordenkainen), and copyright infringement, which while it is a lot murkier of a legal territory, it should be plainly obvious that WotC isn't going to let anyone that didn't pay for licensing as their first choice how to use WotC's copyrights get away with it, or let them get permission after the fact of violating copyright because that sets the precedent for everyone else that it'd be totally fine if they just violate copyright and ask for forgiveness instead of asking for permission.
If anyone who gets shut down by WotC legal action is acting like no reasons were given, it's because they are doing what little kids do when they say "My parents grounded me and I didn't even do anything!", which is trying to spin a narrative that isn't based on the facts because those facts are inconvenient to admit (i.e. you can't act like you aren't doing anything wrong if you acknowledge that you willfully violated copyright and/or infringed upon someone's trademarks).
There is also the fact of people making money out of your stuff they acquired illegally.
It is the same as a thief stealing your tv and making money by then selling it to someone else. Thats illegal and warrant punitions.
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DM of two gaming groups. Likes to create stuff. Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games --> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
There is also the fact of people making money out of your stuff they acquired illegally.
It is the same as a thief stealing your tv and making money by then selling it to someone else. Thats illegal and warrant punitions.
The problem is people not realising that stealing the TV in the first place is illegal. This is symptomatic of a culture that thinks content piracy is some sort of moral right and copyright holders are unreasonable for enforcing their IP.
I might not mind a lot of this so much if a lot of this content was actually available, which it still isn't...also if wizards hadn't been forcing people into this content by hitting every other option with a ban, with no reasons given, to prevent anyone from using them. In the last 6 month I have seen loads of content removed from dms guild, the app stor, and several other places.
Anyone who attempts to use WotC IP without the consent of WotC is going to receive an order to remove that content or face punishment. There ARE legal alternatives to D&D Beyond. For example you can buy the content digitally from Fantasy Grounds, who have paid a licence to WotC. Roll 20 has the Monster Manual, and many of the adventures, and they insist they will also have a version of the PHB in the future. Roll20 has also paid a licencing fee to WotC.
So your problem is really that the places you used to be able to get WotC IP for free had that content without permission (ie. illegally) and have been shut down, as they should be.
As for DMs Guild, please provide examples of content that was available there, but which was removed, and which is also available on D&D Beyond for a price.
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You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
I guess hes talking about dm cheat sheets and dm screens and character sheets that were up there. Many got removed because they had dmg and phb stuff that werent part of the srd.
I check dmsguild a lot and the stuff i saw removed had things they shouldnt do and more then that... They were making money out of it.
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DM of two gaming groups. Likes to create stuff. Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games --> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
I guess hes talking about dm cheat sheets and dm screens and character sheets that were up there. Many got removed because they had dmg and phb stuff that werent part of the srd.
I check dmsguild a lot and the stuff i saw removed had things they shouldnt do and more then that... They were making money out of it.
A quick Google search will find plenty of free "DM screens" and cheat sheets that have been out for years. WotC hasn't done anything to stop those, only the ones in the DM's Guild, which they run.
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You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Exactly because its their site. As for other sites... I have seen plenty that got shut down too. Its not because you can find plenty that they are legal.
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DM of two gaming groups. Likes to create stuff. Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games --> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
There seems to be a preponderance of opinion that it is worth the expense to pay for another set of books (albeit virtual). I don't understand why I should believe any of these opinions or why I should trust those giving the opinions. For all I know, employees of Curse or Twitch or Amazon or WotC or Hasbro have tainted this forum with opinions based not on the quality of the service (and let's be clear here, Curse is not producing any content, just providing a service), but instead based on the bottom line. From my own experience examining this service over the past few weeks, I can find no reason, whatsoever, to purchase anything that Curse is offering. The character sheet is abominable, both the way it is generated and the inadequate and poorly placed information that it contains, and, of course, there is the necessary information that it does not contain (e.g., information on all of the actions, bonus actions, and reactions available to the PC ). The DDB character sheet pales in comparison to the MPMB character sheet I acquired, legally, on DM's Guild. Strange how MPMB's character sheet got pulled from the DM's Guild about the same time you guys cranked up this lemon! If you want DDB to be a success, you had better up your game and lower your prices considerably.
There seems to be a preponderance of opinion that it is worth the expense to pay for another set of books (albeit virtual). I don't understand why I should believe any of these opinions or why I should trust those giving the opinions. For all I know, employees of Curse or Twitch or Amazon or WotC or Hasbro have tainted this forum with opinions based not on the quality of the service (and let's be clear here, Curse is not producing any content, just providing a service), but instead based on the bottom line. From my own experience examining this service over the past few weeks, I can find no reason, whatsoever, to purchase anything that Curse is offering. The character sheet is abominable, both the way it is generated and the inadequate and poorly placed information that it contains, and, of course, there is the necessary information that it does not contain (e.g., information on all of the actions, bonus actions, and reactions available to the PC ). The DDB character sheet pales in comparison to the MPMB character sheet I acquired, legally, on DM's Guild. Strange how MPMB's character sheet got pulled from the DM's Guild about the same time you guys cranked up this lemon! If you want DDB to be a success, you had better up your game and lower your prices considerably.
First of all, this digital product is not for everyone. Some will find it useful and worth the expense, others will not. Thankfully, no one is making you purchase it. It is an option.
Now as for the character sheet, it is a work in progress. There is a revamp coming. Now you say you got one legally on DMsguild from MPMB. How do you know it was legal? Did MPMB pay for the licensing rights to WOTC? Or did you just pay to get it? The former would be legal, the latter is you were scammed into buying an illegal product. That is probably why it was taken down.
Then we get to prices. A lot of that is out of Curse’s hands as WOTC sets the prices for the books. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do not make much off the books at all, but make most of it off the subscriptions.
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I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
There seems to be a preponderance of opinion that it is worth the expense to pay for another set of books (albeit virtual). I don't understand why I should believe any of these opinions or why I should trust those giving the opinions. For all I know, employees of Curse or Twitch or Amazon or WotC or Hasbro have tainted this forum with opinions based not on the quality of the service (and let's be clear here, Curse is not producing any content, just providing a service), but instead based on the bottom line. From my own experience examining this service over the past few weeks, I can find no reason, whatsoever, to purchase anything that Curse is offering. The character sheet is abominable, both the way it is generated and the inadequate and poorly placed information that it contains, and, of course, there is the necessary information that it does not contain (e.g., information on all of the actions, bonus actions, and reactions available to the PC ). The DDB character sheet pales in comparison to the MPMB character sheet I acquired, legally, on DM's Guild. Strange how MPMB's character sheet got pulled from the DM's Guild about the same time you guys cranked up this lemon! If you want DDB to be a success, you had better up your game and lower your prices considerably.
You don't have to believe our opinions. I bought the legendary bundle and I am very happy with my decision. Similarly, you do not have to trust anyone, this is the internet, I could be anyone and I could say anything I want. It is up to the individual to read and look at things and decide for themselves. The character sheet isn't abominable, it is your opinion that it is unhelpful. There is an update coming that should tackle a lot of the community's concerns. Listing actions, bonus actions, etc.. is not a standard practice. You were spoiled by MPMB's sheet which is understandable, but that doesn't mean every sheet has to be a copy paste of each other. And yes, you obtained the sheet from dmsguild, good for you. But that does not change the fact that the sheet gave access to non-srd content for free, or if you decided to send money to the author. I personally run characters in two different campaigns solely through dndbeyond and I am happy with what I currently have and what has been promised for the future. Dndbeyond is already successful, don't need to worry about that, as for lowering the prices you will need to get with Wizards of the Coast for that.
In the end, it is up to each individual if they want to use this resource or not. It sounds like you do not and that is ok.
There seems to be a preponderance of opinion that it is worth the expense to pay for another set of books (albeit virtual). I don't understand why I should believe any of these opinions or why I should trust those giving the opinions. For all I know, employees of Curse or Twitch or Amazon or WotC or Hasbro have tainted this forum with opinions based not on the quality of the service (and let's be clear here, Curse is not producing any content, just providing a service), but instead based on the bottom line. From my own experience examining this service over the past few weeks, I can find no reason, whatsoever, to purchase anything that Curse is offering. The character sheet is abominable, both the way it is generated and the inadequate and poorly placed information that it contains, and, of course, there is the necessary information that it does not contain (e.g., information on all of the actions, bonus actions, and reactions available to the PC ). The DDB character sheet pales in comparison to the MPMB character sheet I acquired, legally, on DM's Guild. Strange how MPMB's character sheet got pulled from the DM's Guild about the same time you guys cranked up this lemon! If you want DDB to be a success, you had better up your game and lower your prices considerably.
You don't have to believe our opinions. I bought the legendary bundle and I am very happy with my decision. Similarly, you do not have to trust anyone, this is the internet, I could be anyone and I could say anything I want. It is up to the individual to read and look at things and decide for themselves. The character sheet isn't abominable, it is your opinion that it is unhelpful. There is an update coming that should tackle a lot of the community's concerns. Listing actions, bonus actions, etc.. is not a standard practice. You were spoiled by MPMB's sheet which is understandable, but that doesn't mean every sheet has to be a copy paste of each other. And yes, you obtained the sheet from dmsguild, good for you. But that does not change the fact that the sheet gave access to non-srd content for free, or if you decided to send money to the author. I personally run characters in two different campaigns solely through dndbeyond and I am happy with what I currently have and what has been promised for the future. Dndbeyond is already successful, don't need to worry about that, as for lowering the prices you will need to get with Wizards of the Coast for that.
In the end, it is up to each individual if they want to use this resource or not. It sounds like you do not and that is ok.
If MPMB's character sheet is so illegal, maybe you can explain to me why it was on DM's Guild for so long (years) before it finally got pulled right around time DDB debuted, and why, to this day, the final update of the character sheet and changelog is still in the My Library folder of everyone who got it on DM's Guild. As far as DDB is concerned, you heard exactly what I was saying, but it sounds like you like it and that is ok.
The only people who know for certain why MPMB was pulled are DMsGuild/WotC and the author of MPMB - anything else is assumption or conjecture.
I can tell you 100% that it was nothing to do with Curse/D&D Beyond, but on the other hand, I can't tell you why it was pulled when it was, rather than earlier.
It is, of course, your choice whether to believe that or not. :)
Keep in mind also that D&D Beyond is a LOT more than just a digital character sheet. In fact, the character sheet is just part of it and was only implemented fairly recently in the grand scale of things. I am certain that when it has matured/developed as long as the MPMB sheet, it will be significantly better. The incoming major revamp should prove pretty awesome!
If MPMB's character sheet is so illegal, maybe you can explain to me why it was on DM's Guild for so long (years) before it finally got pulled right around time DDB debuted, and why, to this day, the final update of the character sheet and changelog is still in the My Library folder of everyone who got it on DM's Guild. As far as DDB is concerned, you heard exactly what I was saying, but it sounds like you like it and that is ok.
Well, i am sure that WOTC decided to protect their IP and they have every right to do so. Just because it was on there for years doesn't make it legal. Just because they got a cease and dissect order and had to take it down, doesn't mean it gets removed from your library. However, now that you brought it up, it might if WOTC decides to.
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I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Does the timing actually matter? I think it does not.
It is a fact that MPMB's character sheet was doing a thing which it should not have been doing (providing non-SRD content without license to do so), and a fact that as a result some action against it was taken. There is no change to either of those facts due to the timing, is there?
Being suspicious of the timing makes no sense at all, as there were cease and desist orders issued by WotC to other projects similar to MPMB's sheet prior to the announcement of any officially licensed digital tools, so there is no reason to believe that WotC were aware of violations of their copyright or infringements upon their trademarks and chose to turn a blind eye... but only until they had officially licensed alternatives.
Does the timing actually matter? I think it does not.
It is a fact that MPMB's character sheet was doing a thing which it should not have been doing (providing non-SRD content without license to do so), and a fact that as a result some action against it was taken. There is no change to either of those facts due to the timing, is there?
Being suspicious of the timing makes no sense at all, as there were cease and desist orders issued by WotC to other projects similar to MPMB's sheet prior to the announcement of any officially licensed digital tools, so there is no reason to believe that WotC were aware of violations of their copyright or infringements upon their trademarks and chose to turn a blind eye... but only until they had officially licensed alternatives.
Content on DM's Guild is not limited to the SRD. Do a little research and think before you post so as not to look so ignorant! Furthermore, there was no C&D issued to DM's Guild or MPMB. DM's Guild simply pulled the sheet, likely under instruction from WotC. MPMB was never given any reason why.
Content on DM's Guild is not limited to the SRD. Do a little research and think before you post so as not to look so ignorant! Furthermore, there was no C&D issued to DM's Guild or MPMB. DM's Guild simply pulled the sheet, likely under instruction from WotC. MPMB was never given any reason why.
As I mentioned previously, disagreeing with another user's point-of-view is fine. Calling them ignorant is not fine and not tolerated on these forums.
Please play nicely, I haven't finished my coffee and don't want to start handing out formal warnings. :)
Whilst I am here - no 3rd party product is allowed to reproduce content from WotC books, without express consent from WotC to do so under licensing. The SRD allows some of the content to be reproduced, further WotC are tolerant of some details being reproduced in adventures for convenience (stat blocks etc). Content on DMs Guild is not exempt from this. WotC run something called the Guild Adept programme, which confuses the issue slightly, as they are working with certain authors to produce content.
Does the timing actually matter? I think it does not.
It is a fact that MPMB's character sheet was doing a thing which it should not have been doing (providing non-SRD content without license to do so), and a fact that as a result some action against it was taken. There is no change to either of those facts due to the timing, is there?
Being suspicious of the timing makes no sense at all, as there were cease and desist orders issued by WotC to other projects similar to MPMB's sheet prior to the announcement of any officially licensed digital tools, so there is no reason to believe that WotC were aware of violations of their copyright or infringements upon their trademarks and chose to turn a blind eye... but only until they had officially licensed alternatives.
Content on DM's Guild is not limited to the SRD. Do a little research and think before you post so as not to look so ignorant! Furthermore, there was no C&D issued to DM's Guild or MPMB. DM's Guild simply pulled the sheet, likely under instruction from WotC. MPMB was never given any reason why.
There is no real need to tell someone else they are ignorant and to use that tone, is there? I do not think Aaron insulted you in any point of his reply, as much as his reply might be ill-informed.
In any case, I believe you are well aware, but I'd still like to point you to this specific FAQ, taken directly from the DM's Guild guidelines:
Can I copy any information from the 5E core rulebooks in my DMs Guild title?
You can include things like summary stat blocks of monsters from the Monster Manual in your adventure. Similarly, you can include spell effects and the like as needed to make running your adventure easy on DMs. Often, though, it’s just as easy on the DM if you refer her to the Monster Manual or other core rulebook instead.
In short, avoid copying large sections of Wizards titles. Stick to summary information needed and not easily referenced.
Also from the content guide:
Illegal and Infringing content is not allowed. It is the content creator’s responsibility to ensure that their content does not violate laws, or copyright, trademark, privacy, or other rights.
The possible suspicious feeling on the timing of the takedown is an understandable one, but hardly something they did without cause or reason, as much as the fact could have been/be perceived as beneficial to DDB's character creator's cause.
Something else I'd like to say, but it's just to reply to your earlier generalization, is: not everyone sees Curse as a surrogate of WotC, and I am also quite confident not everyone makes DDB or Curse responsible or carrier of the previous failures of WotC in terms of digital tools and resources.
I might not mind a lot of this so much if a lot of this content was actually available, which it still isn't...also if wizards hadn't been forcing people into this content by hitting every other option with a ban, with no reasons given, to prevent anyone from using them. In the last 6 month I have seen loads of content removed from dms guild, the app stor, and several other places.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
I feel like people think dmsguild allows people to use wotc copyright. Remember people... If you make money with copyrighted stuff that is not your own or licenced to you then you are illegal. Of course its gonna be removed.
DM of two gaming groups.
Likes to create stuff.
Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses
If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games
--> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
Here are the reasons: Trademark infringement, which legally has to be acted against or WotC would loose their right to claim said trademarks (specific example: if any website/app/tool-set/whatever gives you details to "Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion" instead of the "Magnificent Mansion" spell covered in the SRD, WotC literally has to issue a cease and desist order or loose their legal claim to the name Mordenkainen), and copyright infringement, which while it is a lot murkier of a legal territory, it should be plainly obvious that WotC isn't going to let anyone that didn't pay for licensing as their first choice how to use WotC's copyrights get away with it, or let them get permission after the fact of violating copyright because that sets the precedent for everyone else that it'd be totally fine if they just violate copyright and ask for forgiveness instead of asking for permission.
If anyone who gets shut down by WotC legal action is acting like no reasons were given, it's because they are doing what little kids do when they say "My parents grounded me and I didn't even do anything!", which is trying to spin a narrative that isn't based on the facts because those facts are inconvenient to admit (i.e. you can't act like you aren't doing anything wrong if you acknowledge that you willfully violated copyright and/or infringed upon someone's trademarks).
There is also the fact of people making money out of your stuff they acquired illegally.
It is the same as a thief stealing your tv and making money by then selling it to someone else. Thats illegal and warrant punitions.
DM of two gaming groups.
Likes to create stuff.
Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses
If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games
--> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
I guess hes talking about dm cheat sheets and dm screens and character sheets that were up there. Many got removed because they had dmg and phb stuff that werent part of the srd.
I check dmsguild a lot and the stuff i saw removed had things they shouldnt do and more then that... They were making money out of it.
DM of two gaming groups.
Likes to create stuff.
Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses
If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games
--> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Exactly because its their site. As for other sites... I have seen plenty that got shut down too. Its not because you can find plenty that they are legal.
DM of two gaming groups.
Likes to create stuff.
Check out my homebrew --> Monsters --> Magical Items --> Races --> Subclasses
If you like --> Upvote, If you wanna comment --> Comment
Play by Post Games
--> One Shot Adventure - House of Artwood (DM) (Completed)
There seems to be a preponderance of opinion that it is worth the expense to pay for another set of books (albeit virtual). I don't understand why I should believe any of these opinions or why I should trust those giving the opinions. For all I know, employees of Curse or Twitch or Amazon or WotC or Hasbro have tainted this forum with opinions based not on the quality of the service (and let's be clear here, Curse is not producing any content, just providing a service), but instead based on the bottom line. From my own experience examining this service over the past few weeks, I can find no reason, whatsoever, to purchase anything that Curse is offering. The character sheet is abominable, both the way it is generated and the inadequate and poorly placed information that it contains, and, of course, there is the necessary information that it does not contain (e.g., information on all of the actions, bonus actions, and reactions available to the PC ). The DDB character sheet pales in comparison to the MPMB character sheet I acquired, legally, on DM's Guild. Strange how MPMB's character sheet got pulled from the DM's Guild about the same time you guys cranked up this lemon! If you want DDB to be a success, you had better up your game and lower your prices considerably.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
The only people who know for certain why MPMB was pulled are DMsGuild/WotC and the author of MPMB - anything else is assumption or conjecture.
I can tell you 100% that it was nothing to do with Curse/D&D Beyond, but on the other hand, I can't tell you why it was pulled when it was, rather than earlier.
It is, of course, your choice whether to believe that or not. :)
Keep in mind also that D&D Beyond is a LOT more than just a digital character sheet. In fact, the character sheet is just part of it and was only implemented fairly recently in the grand scale of things. I am certain that when it has matured/developed as long as the MPMB sheet, it will be significantly better. The incoming major revamp should prove pretty awesome!
Pun-loving nerd | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Does the timing actually matter? I think it does not.
It is a fact that MPMB's character sheet was doing a thing which it should not have been doing (providing non-SRD content without license to do so), and a fact that as a result some action against it was taken. There is no change to either of those facts due to the timing, is there?
Being suspicious of the timing makes no sense at all, as there were cease and desist orders issued by WotC to other projects similar to MPMB's sheet prior to the announcement of any officially licensed digital tools, so there is no reason to believe that WotC were aware of violations of their copyright or infringements upon their trademarks and chose to turn a blind eye... but only until they had officially licensed alternatives.
Pun-loving nerd | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games