Sir Pencival, The Knight of The Silver Signature

For those who've been following me, you know I've been a freelancer for a long time. Any dirty job, if you've got the green, I'll sharpen up my nib and get it done. You need a news piece on the local summer hot spot? I've got it. You need a comic script by the end of the month? Consider it done. You need a list of feats for that new class you came out with? Not a problem, just have your checkbook handy for when I deliver.

Like any experienced mercenary, though, I can't do the job on my own. While I've had plenty of backing from the Mountain clans in all their colors (Code Red, Voltage, and classic atomic green, among others), it was time for me to accept a follower. Someone loyal, steadfast, and experienced. Someone who would always be there, and who would not balk even in the face of looming deadlines. Someone who, when we stared into the darkest depths of the human imagination, and the swamp of the purple prose in need of a red pen, would hold out his hands and say, "Your weapon, Sir."

I would like to introduce you all to Sir Pencival, the Knight of the Silver Signature!

It's a dangerous job, my liege. Take this with you.

Pencival has already proven his unflinching loyalty, and he has been at my right hand ever since I acquired him. Not only that, but he has traveled with me to Capricon, where his presence pulled plenty of attention to my signing table. I'd say he was even directly responsible for me selling out of copies of New Avalon: Love and Loss in The City of Steam.

Of course, Pencival's prowess extends beyond my work desk and the signing table. Just this past evening I checked his measurements, and found that he is a nearly perfect fit on a grid map.

You hear a click, as of a massive spring. The statue regards you all. Roll initiative!

Though he has only been my squire for a short period of time, I feel that Sir Pencival and I will fight many battles before we part ways. If you would be interested in locating his brothers in arms, I'd recommend heading over to Amazon, and seeing if you can find one of your own.

Don't delay, though. These squires are fewer than you'd think, and there are more authors than there are pen-bearers.

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday post! I hope you all enjoyed, and if you find yourself at a convention with yours truly, keep an eye out for Sir Pencival! If you'd like to help support us in our efforts to bring you the very best content, stop by The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page today. If you become a patron, and pledge at least $1 a month, then you'll get some sweet swag along with my undying gratitude. And if you haven't followed me on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter yet, well, why not start now?

What Are The Rules For Writing About Pathfinder?

So, as folks have pointed out, I write a lot about Pathfinder. And, while I try to make sure that as much of my content is system-neutral as possible, sometimes I have to get system-specific. Because, after all, Crunch topics that work in Pathfinder won't work in other systems. Aside from the fact that Pathfinder is one of the games I play most regularly, and one of the more popular systems out there, it also has an open game license. Not only that, but Paizo has put forth a list of rules regarding who can use their game content, and under what circumstances.

Those rules, if you're curious, are the Paizo Inc. Community Use Policy.

Take a minute and read it through, if you're curious.

If you've considered becoming a blogger, or you'd like to include Pathfinder content in your YouTube videos, podcasts, or even your own adventure paths and campaign modules, all you have to do is read through these use rules, and see if anything you want to do violates the community use policy or open game license.

For example, if you are going to charge people for access to your product (membership fee on a website, purchase price for a mod, etc.), then you cannot use any of Paizo's intellectual property in it. That means you can use Pathfinder's rule system, but you cannot take the gods, the countries, the history, etc. All of those things are off-limits if you're charging for them.

So where does that leave someone like me, or Simon Peter Munoz, the man behind the Creative Repository Blog? Well, we fall into a much safer place than people who are publishing and selling RPG content. Because our blogs are free to anyone who wants to read them, we don't have to worry as much. That's why you'll see articles specifically about world lore, suggesting particular nations for particular concepts, and talking about adventure paths and modules here in Improved Initiative.

The Rules Can Change

It's important to remember that the rules can, and will, change. So, if you're ever in doubt, it's a good idea to check the community use policy to be certain that you're still in compliance with it. Also, remember, that neither I, nor Improved Initiative, are endorsed by Paizo. I am just a guy with a blog, who talks about gaming. If you want to get a certain answer on whether your idea is going to be okay, legally speaking, all you have to do is email Paizo, and ask.

Seriously, it's that simple.

As always, thanks for checking out this week's Moon Pope Monday update. Also, as I said, this blog is free to everyone. So, if you'd like to leave me a tip to help me keep producing the content you want, why not go to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page, and become a patron? As little as $1 a month makes a big difference, and it's enough to net you some sweet swag, too! Lastly, if you haven't done so yet, why not follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter, too?