Frequently Asked Questions about the "Stellar Bestiary"
Many questions will arise about the Open Call for submissions, and we've got some already. Email questions to bill@holistic-design.com. Check back here regularly for answers.
Q: Do creatures have to come from the Known Worlds? What about the worlds in barbarian space, from Star Crusade and Lost Worlds? Or Vau space?
A: Creatures can come from anywhere in the Known Worlds or barbarians space. You could also create creatures originally from Vau space or Symbiot space, as long as a specimen or two (or at least legends thereof) made its way into the Known Worlds or to the "desk" of Lord Erbian's editors. The same goes for unknown or secret worlds (like Kun Lun); creatures from there are fine, as long as the Lord Erbian's section of the write-up doesn't make this clear (it can be spelled out for GMs in the traits section).
Q: How many words should a typical submission be?
A: The sample provided in the format guide is the longest you want to write per creature -- avoid writing more than that word count (1200 words, including the template text).
Q: If my submission is accepted and printed, will I get paid for repeated words, such as those from the traits template (i.e., "Homeworld," "Present Distribution," etc.)?
A: The traits template text is 100 words long. This will be subtracted from final word count totals before determing payment amounts.
Q: What if I don't know the d20 rules?
A: Don't worry too much about it. As long as your Victory Point System rules are clear, we can convert them fairly easily. I won't turn away submissions solely because the d20 rules are wrong or absent; it's the quality and creativity behind the creature I'm mainly looking for.
Q: What if I don't know the Victory Point System rules?
A: As above ("What if I don't know the d20 rules?").
Q: What if I don't know either rules set?
A: Try to learn at least one of them, preferably both. Creatures with no rules whatsoever mean more work for us, which means the creature is likely to get put on the "maybe" list rather than the "yes" list.
Q: Will these creatures be Open Gaming Content?
A: Their d20 System stats will be Open Gaming Content, which means they can be used by others in their own published d20 System materials, according to the OGL. However, the names and backgrounds of the creatures (basically, the write-up from "Lord Erbian's") and the VPS traits will be considered Product Identity (see the OGL if you have any questions about these distinctions; go to http://www.wizards.com).