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2 years ago ::
Mar 07, 2011 - 12:33PM
#11
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Date Joined:
May 22, 2009
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That doesn't answer the question, really. But thank you for replying.
No, but it is important. You are breaking the rules and the store that provided the material can get in really big trouble with WotC. WotC staff have said in the past that they actively look at E-Bay sales and otherwise try to close down anyone that is using their material improperly. The materials should only be used in the manner designed for the program.
If enough people try to break the rules it can jeopardize the program, which hurts a lot of people. Most of us are arguing constantly for WotC to provide pdf versions of the adventure so DMs can prep the adventure more easily. What you are doing is exactly why WotC don't provide pdfs any more. You are hurting the program and our ability to have greater flexibility as organizers and DMs.
I really do recommend you run this at a gaming store, working with the store to do so.
That's very interesting because I posted a question (community.wizards.com/dungeonsanddragons...) about trying to get the materials last season so I could prep in advance, and my store wouldn't allow me to take them home. I was told over and over again by the people responding in that thread that their stores allow them to take the material home and that DMs are actually allowed to keep the material.
- Rico
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2 years ago ::
Mar 07, 2011 - 12:54PM
#12
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- Dragon Slayer
- If only he would apply himself
- Dammit Jim, this is Star Trek, not D&D!
Date Joined:
Jan 31, 2006
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You can absolutely take the material home to prep the material. Prepping the material is critical to being a good DM. (But, an individual store may not want that due to a worry that an individual DM may miss a session or quit and then they can't run one table and lose the rewards. The store has the final say here.).
You can absolutely keep the material after the season ends and use it however you would like (with copyright bounds, etc.), because it is your reward for DMing. (The store should not keep the material at the end of the season. If they do, I would report them to the WPN Rep. They may be doing something like selling it on E-Bay, which is something for which WotC would severely punish them.)
What you can't do is take the material from the store and run it at home while the season is ongoing. When you do that, you are taking away from the actual program. The program must be run at stores and comply fully with all aspects of the program. If you need an exception, have the store ask the WPN Rep. (Customer Service is not trained on the intricacies of organized play and often makes mistakes; your WPN Rep will have the right information).
Follow my blog and Twitter feed with Dark Sun campaign design and DM tips! Dark Sun's Ashes of Athas Campaign is now available for home play (PM me with your e-mail to order the campaign adventures).
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2 years ago ::
Mar 07, 2011 - 4:44PM
#13
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Date Joined:
May 22, 2009
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You can absolutely take the material home to prep the material. Prepping the material is critical to being a good DM. (But, an individual store may not want that due to a worry that an individual DM may miss a session or quit and then they can't run one table and lose the rewards. The store has the final say here.).
You can absolutely keep the material after the season ends and use it however you would like (with copyright bounds, etc.), because it is your reward for DMing. (The store should not keep the material at the end of the season. If they do, I would report them to the WPN Rep. They may be doing something like selling it on E-Bay, which is something for which WotC would severely punish them.)
What you can't do is take the material from the store and run it at home while the season is ongoing. When you do that, you are taking away from the actual program. The program must be run at stores and comply fully with all aspects of the program. If you need an exception, have the store ask the WPN Rep. (Customer Service is not trained on the intricacies of organized play and often makes mistakes; your WPN Rep will have the right information).
Thanks for clarifying that. The store did not even offer to let me or the other guy who DM'd the table keep the materials.
- Rico
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2 years ago ::
Mar 11, 2011 - 7:07PM
#14
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Date Joined:
Oct 21, 2009
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AlphaStream, I can appreciate both your passion and your angst, however, it is my feeling that you are incorrect. WoTC does not provide PDF versions of their materials because piracy on an electronic platform is easy, and people who do not want to pay for retail products (i.e.: the DM Guide, Players Handbook, etc...all of which I own...no really...all of it) can easily download these PDFs. This is a fiscal nightmare for a company which produces a product for profit.
Also, I am not "breaking the system". I did not buy this on e-Bay, it is used by the store on their game day, I am simply utilizing it at home on a non-Encounters day (Sat.) with a group of older gamers who have no interest in learning to use essentials, and enjoy 4E as is just fine. I would not be DMing a group at my store, and am not taking away from anyone's enjoyment there, as they have plenty of DMs for the players, and more waiting in the wings should players join, and the copy which I utilize is not being taken home for reference by the DM who routinely refers to it on Wednesdays.
So yes, no harm no foul, and before we make this into a flame thread or a critical incident a hearty thanks to those of you who answered my question, I truly appreciated the information. Since I have no idea if I am able to simply remove my thread, for my purposes it is closed.
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2 years ago ::
Mar 11, 2011 - 10:19PM
#15
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Date Joined:
May 23, 2005
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What store did you borrow it from?
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2 years ago ::
Mar 11, 2011 - 10:55PM
#16
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Date Joined:
Mar 24, 2010
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Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the problem with running the module out of store during the season, is that in theory the people COULD have played at the store. Thus, you stealing potential players from the program at the store. The store I run at doesn't allow OTHER D&D 4th Ed games on the same day as Encounters for this reason. It does have Warhammer, Gamma World, Fate, Dresden Files and other games however.
While the running the module during the season out of store has not been a problem at our store. The being limited to the specifics of Encounters on the day of Encounters has been a problem. A lot of people really thought that D&D 4th Ed had got a lot of cool concepts recently with Player's Handbook 3. But, they can't use them, because they are limited to Essentials. Sort like having a Cool new Sports Car, but only being able to ride a kiddy pedal car in the actual race.
Some DMs, and I am likely to be one of them, are going to run D&D 4th Ed on other days with the Main 4th Ed rules so people can be Psions, Rune Priests, Hybrid characters, Minotaurs, Wilden and soon Shadow Power Characters. The Encounters arrangers are right to be afraid of the competition. Many players are likely to have their game of the week, not be Encounters but a Non-Essentials game. But, then Encounters was supposed to be a recruiting tool. You can't stay in Essentials boot camp for ever.
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2 years ago ::
Mar 12, 2011 - 1:00PM
#17
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Date Joined:
Oct 21, 2009
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Again, for reiteration purposes, to me, the purpose of the thread is met. I appreciated the responses, but I am not here for argument. I feel I did a good enough job for my own conscience to answer the questions of those who disagree with my use of the adventure. Beyond that, I don't feel a need for further justification.
For me, the thread is now closed. This will be my last post in it. Thanks!
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