0. Legal Information

The Basic Roleplaying System Reference Document 1.0 (“BRPSRD1.0”) describes the rules of Basic Roleplaying. You may incorporate the rules as they appear in BRPSRD1.0, wholly or in part, into a derivative work, through the use of the BRP Open Game License, Version 1.0. You should read and understand the terms of that License before creating a derivative work from BRPSRD1.0.

Thanks to Wizards of the Coast, the Open Source Initiative, and Creative Commons for their work in creating the framework behind Open Source (and in this case Open Game) licenses. You should be aware that the BRP Open Game License for use of the Basic Roleplaying system differs from the Wizards Open Game License and has different terms and conditions.

BRP Open Game License, Version 1.0

1. Definitions:

(a) “Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content;

(b) “Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment, or other forms in which an existing work may be recast, transformed, or adapted;

(d) “Open Game Content” means the Basic Roleplaying game, including the game mechanics and the methods, procedures, processes, and routines to the extent such content does not embody Prohibited Content and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Prohibited Content;

(e) The following items are hereby identified as “Prohibited Content”: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters, deities, place names, etc.), plots, story elements, locations, characters, artwork, or trade dress from any of the following: any releases from the product lines of Call of Cthulhu, Dragon Lords of Melniboné, ElfQuest, Elric!, Hawkmoon, HeroQuest, Hero Wars, King Arthur Pendragon, Magic World, Nephilim, Prince Valiant, Ringworld, RuneQuest, 7th Sea, Stormbringer, Superworld, Thieves’ World, Worlds of Wonder, and any related sublines; the world and mythology of Glorantha; all works related to the Cthulhu Mythos, including those that are otherwise public domain; and all works related to Le Morte d’Arthur. This list may be updated in future versions of the License.

In addition, game mechanics that are substantially similar to the following unique or characteristic features of other Chaosium games are Prohibited Content:

Augments: The use of one ability — whether skill or characteristic — to augment another ability of the same or a different type, in a manner substantially similar to those of the RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha rules.

Glory: If substantially similar to the King Arthur Pendragon rules.

Passions: If substantially similar to the King Arthur Pendragon and/or RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha rules.

Personality Traits:If substantially similar to the King Arthur Pendragon rules.

Pushing:If substantially similar to the Call of Cthulhu rules.

Reputation: If substantially similar to the RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha rules.

Rune Magic:If substantially similar to the Rune or divine magic mechanics presented in any version of the RuneQuest rules. Original magic systems not derived from RuneQuest may be called “rune magic” if they do not include any components of the Gloranthan Runes.

Runes: If substantially similar to the Runes contained in any version of the RuneQuest rules.

Sanity: If substantially similar to the Sanity mechanics in the Call of Cthulhu rules, including Bouts of Madness, Temporary, Indefinite, and Permanent Insanity.

Sorcery: If substantially similar to the sorcery mechanics presented in any version of the RuneQuest rules. Original magic systems not derived from RuneQuest may be called “sorcery.”

Spirit Magic: If substantially similar to the spirit or battle magic mechanics presented in any version of the RuneQuest rules. Original magic systems not derived from RuneQuest may be called “spirit magic.”

(f) “Trademark” means the logos, names, marks, signs, mottos, and designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the BRP Open Game License by the Contributor;

(g) “Use,” “Used,” or “Using” means to use, distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate, and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content;

(h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement.

2. Grant: Except for material designated as Prohibited Content (see Section 1(e) above), the Basic Roleplaying System Reference Document is Open Game Content, as defined in the BRP Open Game License version 1.0, Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without permission from Chaosium.

3. The License: This License applies to any work Using BRP Open Game Content published by Chaosium. You must affix a complete copy of this License to any BRP Open Game Content that You Use and include the Copyright Notice detailed in Section 7 in all appropriate locations. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any BRP Open Game Content distributed Using this License.

4. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the BRP Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of the BRP Open Game License.

5. Grant of License: Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to Use the Open Game Content.

6. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

7. Copyright Notice: You must update the Copyright Notice portion of this License to include the current version of the text of the Copyright Notice of any BRP Open Game Content You are copying, modifying, or distributing.

This work created using the BRP Open Game License.

Basic Roleplaying © copyright 1980–2020 Chaosium Inc.; Authors, original rules: Greg Stafford, Steve Henderson, Warren James, Steve Perrin, Sandy Petersen, Ray Turney, and Lynn Willis; developed by Jason Durall, James Lowder, and Jeff Richard.

Basic Roleplaying and the BRP logo are trademarks of Chaosium Inc. Used with permission.

8. Limitations on Grant: You agree not to Use any Prohibited Content, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with Chaosium. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing BRP Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark.

9. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

10. Updating the License: Chaosium or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of the BRP Open Game License, including updates to the Prohibited Content list. Material published under any version of the License can continue to be published Using the terms of that version, but You agree to Use the most recent authorized version of this License for any new Open Game Content You publish or for revised or updated works with thirty percent (30%) or more revised or new content, by total word count.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

12. Reputation: You must not copy, modify, or distribute Open Game Content connected to this License in a way that would be prejudicial or harmful to the honor or reputation of the Contributors.

13. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the BRP Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.

14. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of becoming aware of the breach.

15. Labeling: You must prominently display one of the following BRP logos on the front and back exterior and in the interior package, on the title page or its equivalent, of your Use of the Open Content. You are granted permission to reproduce the logo only for that purpose.

16. Severability: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be severed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

17. Governing Law and Venue: The governing law for any disputes arising under this License shall be the laws of the State of Michigan, without reference to its choice of laws provisions. Venue is exclusively vested in the United States Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.