English edition v1.3.3
#IP Safety Guide (License·Copyright)
Contents
This expansion assumes non-commercial·educational·hobby use. However, media-origin content adheres to the alteration principle.
#§ 1. Public Domain vs Media Origin
#Public Domain (Original Names May Be Used)
| Category | Examples | This Expansion's Handling |
|---|---|---|
| Greek mythology | Hydra·Chimera·Aegis·Apollo | original names used |
| Norse mythology | Odin·Gungnir·Valhalla·Beowulf | original names used |
| Celtic mythology | Banshee·Leprechaun | original names used |
| Arthurian legend | Excalibur·Durendal·Roland | original names used |
| Chinese classics | Shanhaijing·Romance of the Three Kingdoms·Guan Yu·Eight Immortals | original names used |
| Joseon history | Yi Sun-sin·Heo Jun·Hwando·Gakgung | original names used |
| Japanese history | Takeda·Shinsengumi·Kabuki·Tea Ceremony | original names used |
| Catholic scripture | Michael·Longinus·Dagon | original names used |
| Lovecraft 1928~1937 | Shoggoth·Dagon·Night-gaunt | original names used (entered public domain) |
| Islamic Golden Age | Sipahi·Avicenna·Mantra | original names used |
| Indian mythology | Shiva·Vajra·Chakram | original names used |
#Media Origin (Alteration Needed)
| Category | Alteration Principle |
|---|---|
| D&D general (goblin·orc·troll) | generalized·close to public domain — original name or altered (e.g., Goburin) |
| D&D proprietary (Mind Flayer·Beholder) | alteration mandatory (Brain-Eater·Many-Eyes) |
| Tolkien proprietary (Hobbit·Ent) | alteration mandatory or avoid use |
| comic·novel media (specific characters) | alter + borrow only the motif |
| film·game (specific weapons) | alter + only the motif |
#Alteration Principle
- Name: alter in Chinese characters or Korean.
- Appearance: borrow only the motif. Change the exact appearance description.
- Ability: reinterpret in core-rule format. Not the original ability as is.
- Source notation: an academic-citation format such as "orig: D&D Mind Flayer" (where possible).
#§ 1.5. Integration Handling of Core Same-Name Yoma
When a name overlaps with a yoma that already exists in the core 08-02 Yoma Bestiary, the principle is integration into the core and deletion (a matter of internal consistency, not an IP issue).
| Old Location | Name | Core Entry | Handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-08-01 | Nine-Tailed Fox | Lord-grade (Tamamo-no-Mae) | delete — core integration |
| 55-08-03 | Nue | Elite-grade | delete — core integration |
| 55-09-01 | Gaki | Minion-grade | delete — core integration |
A separate naming alternative ("Chinese Nine-Tailed Fox," etc.) is also possible, but for the 4, integration is recommended.
#§ 2. This Expansion's Alteration Cases
| This Expansion | Original | Reason for Alteration |
|---|---|---|
| Goburin (55-02-01) | D&D Goblin | generalized·matches the setting's naming convention |
| Brain-Eater (55-11-03) | D&D Mind Flayer | D&D proprietary IP |
| Many-Eyes (55-11-04) | D&D Beholder | D&D proprietary IP |
| Balrog (55-07-03) | Tolkien Balrog | Tolkien proprietary |
| Mithril Breastplate (45-04-03) | Tolkien Mithril | Tolkien proprietary (partly generalized) |
| Saruman's Staff (45-05-02) | Tolkien Saruman | Tolkien proprietary character |
| Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms (13-06) | Jin Yong wuxia style | comic-media variant |
| 8 Houses of Wulin (25-07-06) | wuxia fiction | media fiction |
| Black Society (25-07-02) | Chinese·Hong Kong Black Society | generalized |
| Simur (45-01-09) | Persian Shahnameh | media + alteration |
| Gaelard (45-01-10) | Celtic fiction | media fiction |
| Silla Cheongwan Sword (45-07-04) | fictional variant | media fiction |
| Shining Trapezohedron (55-12-04) | Lovecraft + alteration | media influence |
#§ 3. Recommended·Not Recommended Use
#Recommended (Safe)
- non-commercial·hobby·educational use
- campaign operation (individuals·small groups)
- use of altered names (media origin)
- source notation (academic citation)
#Not Recommended
- commercial publication (copyright review mandatory)
- using media-origin original names as is
- borrowing a work's core idea·plot as is
#Forbidden
- using a media-origin work's core character name as is (e.g., Saruman as is)
- quoting part of a work as is (without the alterations above)
- for commercial use, without the copyright holder's consent
#§ 4. When in Doubt
- Uncertain whether public domain: use of an altered name is recommended (safe).
- Uncertain whether media origin: borrow only the motif·use an altered name.
- If a legal issue arises: immediately remove·replace the content in question.
#§ 5. References
- Korean copyright law: enters the public domain 70 years after death.
- US copyright law: 70 years after death + before 1923 is public domain (some Lovecraft works).
- Japanese copyright law: 70 years after death.
Each country's copyright law may change — check the latest information.
"Myth belongs to everyone. But one person's work belongs to that person. Knowing the difference is the GM's duty."