Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
The short version of how our Free Gaming Guidelines and Free Gaming License work, with examples.
Guidelines vs. License
What's the difference?
The Guidelines cover what's already free by law: game mechanics. No permission, no attribution, no strings. That's true of any game, not just ours. The License covers our copyrighted creative text. It's free to use too, but it asks for attribution and has a few terms. Reach for it when you want to use our exact wording or make something MythScript-compatible.
Quick call: building a new game inspired by our mechanics? Just do it. Making MythScript-compatible content? Use the License.
Permissions
Can I sell what I make?
Yes. Keep all of it. No royalties, no permission needed.
What can I make?
Tabletop RPG materials: adventures, supplements, new classes, items, spells, and other resources for players and Game Managers.
Do I need attribution if I'm giving my work away for free?
Yes. Free or paid, both need the attribution line from the License.
Where does the attribution go?
Anywhere people can find it. A credits page or a legal section is the usual spot.
Can I reword the attribution?
No. Use it exactly as written in the License.
Compatibility
What can I call my product?
You can say it's “compatible with MythScript” or “designed for MythScript.” Don't use a title that suggests we made it — like “MythScript: Your Adventure” or “Official MythScript Adventure.”
Can I say you endorse my work?
No. Don't imply we made it, approved it, or endorse it.
Can I use similar fonts and layouts?
Sure. Similar styling is fine. Just don't copy our exact artwork or make your work so identical to ours that someone would think we made it.
Mechanics vs. creative expression
What counts as a mechanic?
A mechanic is a functional system — the instructions for how to play. Copyright doesn't protect those, because they're methods of operation, not creative expression. That includes:
- Character creation (stats, abilities, skills, classes)
- Gameplay systems (leveling, combat, movement, conditions)
- Resolution (dice rolls, modifiers, target numbers)
- Action economy (turns, rounds, action types)
How do I tell a mechanic from creative expression?
If the text mainly teaches how the game works, the underlying mechanic is free. The specific creative wording is protected. Same rule, three examples:
At 3rd level, choose one of three specialization paths. Each grants different abilities at levels 5, 9, and 13.
Upon reaching 3rd level, your character must choose to walk the Path of the Blade, the Path of Shadows, or the Path of Arcana.
The Stormcallers are warrior-mystics who forge pacts with tempest spirits, channeling their rage into devastating elemental fury.
Can I reprint your tables or charts?
No. Tables and charts are a creative expression of how our mechanics work. You can reference them (“see the MythScript core rules”) or build your own version.
Restrictions
What can't I use?
Our our paid or registration-gated content, images, artwork, icons, and other visual elements, our logos, and our trade dress — the look and feel. Our trademarks (NoSRD, MythScript), logos, and trade dress stay protected, and you can't use them in a way that suggests we made or endorse your work.
License terms
Can this license be revoked?
No. Anything you published with content that was free stays licensed, even if we change the license later or move that content behind a paywall. Once your work is out, it's yours — it's irrevocable. We will never try to take it, charge you royalties, or force you into new terms. That's disgusting, and we're not doing it.
What if I violate the License by accident?
Accidents happen. Your rights end on violation but come back if you fix it within 30 days of noticing or being told.
Other questions
Can I use mechanics from other games too?
Yes. Game mechanics aren't copyrightable anywhere — not just here. A few games route around this by filing patents, but for the vast majority you're free to use the mechanics however you like.
Why not just use the ORC or Creative Commons?
We skipped ORC because it’s ambiguous about mechanics usage, and its reserved-material notice forces creators to explicitly list every piece of reserved material “for avoidance of doubt”—while its own example list admits it “may not be limited to” what’s listed. That contradiction makes compliance a burden.
We skipped CC because we’d need a separate license for our Creator Kit. Writing our own license lets us specify our exact attribution statement, separate free vs. restricted content more granularly, and stay game-specific for crystal-clear clarity.