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Credit/Remixing for a framework campaign.

A topic by Ninvis created Jun 29, 2025 Views: 587 Replies: 19
Viewing posts 1 to 8
Submitted(+1)

Howdy! Was working on writing up a framework for a campaign I ran last year with the players learning about the (spoilers) Schism as the connective tissue. I started making a list of suggested scenarios and Stage progression ala The Labyrinth before realizing I’d probably need permission from the scenarios’ authors (since I guess this would be “remixing”). I wanted to check if I would still need permission from fan scenarios (assume so) and what the rules were about recommending official scenarios for a campaign (unsure about).

For example, two Stage One suggested scenarios would look like:

  • Last Things Last, by Bret Kramer
    • Clyde Baughman was an agent of the Outlaws before serving as a Friendly for the Program. His room was bugged by the Program and Outlaw operatives surveil his apartment from a distance. 
  • Next of Kin, by Aaron Vanek
    • John Bailey sent a hypergeometric object to his family as protection from the hound on angles. When the Agents try to remove it from the house, they notice the hound gets closer to kill the family. 
    • The Agents are also instructed to check in on a Green Box Bailey was looking over in the area. This contains artifacts or spells the Agents can give to the family for protection. 

Let me know if either makes sense (and if this framework instead of a full written campaign is even fair game for the jam).

HostSubmitted

I wanted to check if I would still need permission from fan scenarios (assume so)

You’re correct: you do need their permission if you want to include their scenario text in your submission. However, you can mention and link to fan scenarios without getting permission. Then you can spell out your changes to them in your campaign submission (just like you did in your example).

The one thing to keep in mind is is word count for “referenced” scenarios: the word count of scenarios that you link to in your campaign still count against your campaigns 30,000 word count.

For example: you’re planning on using Last Things Last in your campaign. LTL has a word count of 1,514 words. If you don’t hear back from Bret Kramer and instead need to just provide a link and remix notes (like you currently are doing), the link to LTL would take up 1,514 words of your 30,000 word budget (plus the 38 words you use for remix notes).

The reason for this is to keep a level playing field regardless of how an author performs a “campaign-stitch”: submissions that get permission and include/remix the full text of pre-existing scenarios are at no disadvantage compared to submissions that just link to pre-existing scenarios, and neither have exceptional (dis)advantages compared to authors writing all their own scenarios.

if this framework instead of a full written campaign is even fair game for the jam

I think that framing your submission around Labyrinth-style Stage progression is definitely allowed and in the spirit of the jam, But you’ll still want to fill each Stage with scenarios (either of your own design, or using your current “campaign-stitch” technique).

Hopefully that was helpful. Feel free to ask follow-ups!

HostSubmitted

Also: if you want help getting in contact with any authors to get permission to copy and remix their scenario, let me know.

Submitted(+1)

Thanks for the response! It's greatly appreciated. Is it still okay to reference official scenarios then (and count the referenced toward the word count)?

HostSubmitted (3 edits)

It absolutely is allowed!

Just be mindful of wordcount if you’re linking an entire official scenario (not just a monster from one). Arc Dream scenarios are longer than you think they are, and it’ll chew through your word budget.

For example: Victim of the Art (an adventure I’d consider “small-medium,” consumes ~15,000 words. That’s ten shotgun scenarios, and half your 30,000 word budget.

Submitted(+1)

Good call about the official scenarios. I'm curious how you'd suggest getting in contact with shotgun scenario authors - I was thinking a Reddit post, otherwise was unsure. I finished a draft and think my final call on scenarios was:

  • Last Things Last, by Bret Kramer with Shane Ivey - 1519 
  • The Third Man Factor, by William Schar - 1509 
  • Next of Kin, by Aaron Vanek - 1503 
  • Sentinels of Twilight, by Dennis Detweiller - 6420 
  • The Colour and the Shape, by Rob K.- 4594 
  • Operation SECRET SANTA, by Sarah Szell - 1583 
  • Operation Minoan Augur, by Agent Obtuse - 1575 
  • Death is No Parentheses, by William Schar- 1609 
  • Hellhole, by Alex Sun - 1777 

Total words - 22,089

Doc words - 6261

Together words total - 28,352

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18sRGvk3OXiIXKpq6REbDumY7Qd8F_arsrE1hyFmdDiQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.qy2fwtlutwle

If you had any way to reach out to those authors, I'd be interested in pursuing it. It feels a bit weird to not get their approval, even if I'm not including the full text and it's just suggestions and examples of how to stitch together a campaign. 

HostSubmitted (1 edit)

I let Agent Obtuse know about your request for Minoan Augur. The others will require getting in contact with the shotgun scenario contest admins.

I’ve sent an email to the DGML and the administrators of those contests, so hopefully I’ll get back to you soon.

Submitted(+1)

Just got back from a long hiatus and was wondering if you heard anything (I haven't heard anything from Agent Obtuse). Thank you again for reaching out! 

HostSubmitted

I unfortunately haven’t heard back yet. I’ll send additional pings and see if I can get more info.

To make things convenient: could you give me your email? That way, I can CC you in any email requests I send out?

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

Thanks! It's [REDACTED]

HostSubmitted

Email sent. If you don’t want your email address public like this now, you can edit your comment and redact your address.

Submitted(+1)

Just wanted to say thanks for reaching out to the mailing list, very kind of you! 

HostSubmitted (1 edit)

I haven’t heard much back yet. But someone did point me to what appears to be Sarah Szell’s website. You can try contacting here there and asking permission to copy and remix SECRET SANTA.

Submitted(+1)

Thank you! I heard back from her and they gave permission. 

Submitted(+1)

Thank you so much for all of your help, it was extremely useful and I couldn't have made the final product without you. I deeply appreciate the assistance, and thanks for hosting the jam! It was a lot of fun to do.

Submitted(+1)

I can pass on email addresses for Aaron and Bret, for this purpose. What’s the best way to PM you?

Be aware that because LTL and Sentinels of Twilight are Arc Dream products now, there could be copyright issues if you want to reproduce big chunks of them (though since LTL was a Shotgun and is a free product it maybe doesn’t matter for this non-commercial purpose, IANAL) as opposed to just linking to and commenting on them.

Submitted

Thanks! I can be found on Reddit at ghostandtoastfighter. 

Planning on not including any text of the original works, and since fan-content add ons is alright I believe that's fine (and I'm not selling it or anything).  

Submitted

sent!

Submitted(+1)

Hey, I think you sent me it but I misclicked and deleted it. My bad. Any chance to get it resent?

Submitted(+1)

resent