Old D&D modules

[Cabales]

I'm curious if there's work being done to convert old D&D modules to FG. I know all the new stuff comes out, but there's so much old stuff out there that would be fun to have available too. Anyone know?

[Talyn]

Wizards of the Coast only officially licensed 5th Edition so until that changes, only official (and OGL) 5E material is allowed to be released. For 3.5E, only OGL material is allowed to be released, due to no 3.5E license.

So, short answer: No.

[LordEntrails]

There are conversions being done to 5E, but these don't, and can't, have FG modules for them. They are sold on the DMsG, and the project homepage is here; https://classicmodulestoday.com/

[Cabales]

Ahh. That's too bad. I can't say I understand why WoTC would approve one set of modules and not another, but it is what it is. Thanks guys.

[JohnD]

You can always do your own conversion and enter it into FG for your own use.

I've done most of the ToEE for several different rulesets for example.

[Gwydion]

There are conversions being done to 5E, but these don't, and can't, have FG modules for them. They are sold on the DMsG, and the project homepage is here; https://classicmodulestoday.com/

Yeah, but just be careful with these too. When I read the fine print on the dmsguild it appears they are "conversion guides" and you still have to have the original pdf of the adventure to use them. I haven't purchased any yet, but I wouldn't purchase the conversion pdf expecting a complete adventure. I understand the purpose I suppose, but its a little confusing to a consumer just expecting it would be an entire conversion. Funny as I was just looking at these earlier this morning.

[Gwydion]

You can always do your own conversion and enter it into FG for your own use.

I've done most of the ToEE for several different rulesets for example.

Yes to this! I do this all the time as well...

[Cabales]

There must be something behind the scenes on this for WoTC that I don't understand, because allowing people to convert the modules and then have them sold anywhere, FG included, seems like free money to me.

Another semi-related question while we're discussing it. Regarding Pathfinder Adventure Path stuff. Obviously there are conversions to FG being done for these. Is the plan to convert all of them, or is it just a subset? Anyone know?

[SirGraystone]

Nothing is free, if someone convert old module for FG then WoTC would have to pay them for it. And their new products are often base on some old products, Tomb of Annihilation is a mix of the Tomb of Horrors, Dwellers of the Forbidden City, and the Isle of Dread. Curse of Strahd of Ravenloft. Storm King's Thunder, Against the Giants. Prince of Apocalypse, the Temple of Elemental Evil.

[celestian]

Nothing is free, if someone convert old module for FG then WoTC would have to pay them for it.


In this case, it is free.

They don't "pay" for the modules people put up for 5E on DMsguild right now. They get a cut of it's sales. Thus his comment "free money" because it costs them absolutely nothing to produce or sell.

[celestian]

There must be something behind the scenes on this for WoTC that I don't understand, because allowing people to convert the modules and then have them sold anywhere, FG included, seems like free money to me.


Do what I did, send them an email and nag them about it (WoTC and DMsguild). I've got stuff I'd put soon as they allowed it but until they allow something other than 5E... we're screwed.

[LordEntrails]

As mentioned, yes, the Classic Modules are conversion guides, you still need the originals (which are for sale as pdfs) to get the maps, artwork, room descriptions etc.

In the end, it doesn't really matter why WotC has decided to only license 5E stuff, but they have and we have to live with it :)

[Erin Righ]

Leave Warlocks of the Coast before they rob your soul, there are too many great other systems out there to support their madness :)

[Cabales]

Yeah, I do plan to branch out into other systems, but I decided to start with 5e for a multitude of reasons. Primarily because I'm most familiar with D&D (though it's been forever since I played), and it seems to have the most automation in FG.

I plan to branch out to PF once I'm comfortable with 5E. Maybe Savage Worlds eventually too.

[Myrdin Potter]

Since the 3e OGL and SRD, now updated into a 5e OGL and SRD, WoTC has been about the friendliest company allowing official use of their rules.

Older modules, with art and copyright text may have completely different contracts with the creators than exist today. They also cannot allow people to freely use their copyrighted items and still protect copyrights. Finally, they don't want to create confusion with multiple versions of the same product out there.

The 5e rules are pretty clean and play well. They are built on the 3/3.5/pathfinder base with all the fiddly bits replaced by advantage/disadvantage. That is an over simplification, but true within bounded accuracy.

I play other games as well (and have for decades), but the current iteration of D&D is good with a pretty solid and the FG implementation is good.

[Bidmaron]

Thanks, Myrdin. Good explanation almost makes me want to try 5e, but I just can't forgive those rascals for the abortion of 4e.

[Myrdin Potter]

You realize that you can play 5e via OGL series that are out there and WoTC does not get paid? For example, Adventures in Middle Earth is a complete rewrite on top of of the exiting SRD? More and more companies are releasing world's and rules that do not use the official books.

I would also note that the team that released 5e survived on very little internal funding, did a huge open play test, and must really love the game because of the big effort they put into it with pretty dire job prospects at the time? They respond to messages and posts personally all the time.

There are plenty of other systems out there, but 5e is quite viable and captures a lot of what I liked from my AD&D days.

[Bidmaron]

I appreciate the perspective but I have invested a butt ton in 3.5 and PF. At this point, the old dog new trick thing applies. Plus I feel an allegiance to Paizo who bailed out the greatest edition of all time. I am a superscriber to all their stuff except I think I am going to slowly cancel my starfinder subscriptions, as I just can't get into it (and I want to).

In fact, I am thinking about porting Spelljammer to PF. That setting has my vote for the funnest setting of all time.

[Erin Righ]

In fact, I am thinking about porting Spelljammer to PF. That setting has my vote for the funnest setting of all time.

If you want a partner, let me know, I'd love to get in on that project!

[Bidmaron]

Well I have to finish some table manager work I am doing first so it will be a while. Guess we could talk some ground fundamentals.
In case folks didn't know, you can now buy all the Spelljammer material on RPGNow. It is fairly good price for PDFs.

[Nylanfs]

Incase people weren't aware of this. :)

https://www.opengamingstore.com/products/starjammer-core-rulebook

https://www.opengamingstore.com/products/starjammer-core-rulebook-starfinder-edition

[Erin Righ]

Starjammer is pretty cool, I own a copy of that too (have to redownload), but it falls just short of Spelljammer

[Bidmaron]

I am not into sci-fantasy. I too bought starjammer but was disappointed to see its sci-fi slant. Maybe we should start a new thread to discuss PFSJ?