Outlaw Mess

[hrrrothgarrr]

Boozer, glad to see you're stil here.
I don't hold you to blame at all, even for questionable material you had via OP. I am sure you bought it good faith, as did the rest of us. It reflecs well on you that pulled it voluntarily.

I hope to get more of your creative solos in future.

[Boozer]

Hi all - nice to be back and nicer still to receive support from you guys.

This is an ugly mess indeed, and I hope it is sorted soon.

I've been watching the rpg.net forum and it's up to about 70 pages I think now on this subject, sheesh!

Just to add a bit from my side of the fence, I have been friends with James for years now, always enjoying jolly banter on email and between us we have released many of my T&T solos & adventures to a wider audience. James has always been fair, paid-up in time for my work and been over-generous in sending parcels of my printed material to me in the UK. I can't fault him in any way, shape or form for his generocity, friendship & help.

HOWEVER, he HAS to sort this mess out in the best & quickest way possible.

Throughout my time working with "that guy" I believed that he had built up a huge collection of art bought from trade shows and RPG events etc. where artists sell their wares. I still think that this is the case, but it is clear now that some art has indeed been used without artists permission, which is something I'm afraid that James will have to clear-up, and quick.

Fortunately for me many of my solos feature superb art by my good friend in the UK, Simon Tranter, and my buddy across the Pond, Jeff Freels.

I still intend to work with James in the future and yes, he is working on my new 6-level GM dungeon, that I have been writing through my divorce. I designed and created all the maps, Simon Tranter did the covers and I believe Jeff is doing the interior illos, so that's all fine.

Hopefully he will still be allowed to sell it!

It's called 'Vaults of the Liche Lord' and is TOTALLY original work. (Buy a copy and find out, ha ha!)

I've been in touch with "that guy" and although we haven't talked about all this much at all, I'm sure he is working to sort it out.

I sincerely hope so anyway.

Ooo an Exalt, cheers dude!!!

[quoghmyre]

While I respect your stance Boozer, until this issue is resolved and I have received some compensation for the damage it has done to my professional reputation, Mr "that guy" can swing in the breeze.

For those who don't understand my beef, this is OP attributing "stolen" artwork to me. Until his other transgressions came to light, I was considered the thief. Now if you google me this is the top hit and it's not until many pages into this tread that my innocence established.

I'm still very angry about this!

[Boozer]

Hi Quogh - You have a very fair point there, I completely understand. I think I would also be very aggreived if I'd been an artist involved.

What actually happened? Did someone alter your original cover art? I'm sure you must have told me somewhere along the line but can't quite recall.

Also, as much as I am not a 'Kopfy' fan at all, in fact the guy irritates me in the extreme, what is all this 'New Khazan' talk - what happened there?

[hrrrothgarrr]

From what I gather, "New Khazan" started life as an article by Kopfy. It was then massively rewritten, expanded, and re-edited by other parties at the request of Mr. "that guy". "that company" then published the new version. Kopfy did not review or approve of the changes pre-publication. He was very upset by the changes when he saw the final version.

I have seen several different covers for Hot Pursuit, one of which was by Kevin Bracey, one of which was unauthorized, and at least one done by Firey Dragon. Part of the issue is that Kevin Bracey was credited for the unauthorized cover, which Mr. Bracey had nothing to do with.

FOrtunately when I googled him just now the link to Hot Pursuit showed a "product not available" message on a DriveThruRPG affiliate, not the RPG.net fracas.

[lostheretic]

I don't understand how people are still "on the fence." Just because a guy is fun to talk to doesn't mean he's trustworthy. We, as a community, given "that guy" the benefit of the doubt many times in the past. Before I continue, let me list them:

• Mazes and Minotaurs
  
• Lionrampant's dungeon generator
  
• Gristlegrim's Dungeon unauthorized edits
  
• New Khazan unauthorized edits
  

This man has shown in the past a disregard for the work of others. Actions speak louder than words and I believe this proves "that company" to be an unethical and untrustworthy business.

[Boozer]

Point of order, I didn't say he was trustworthy because he was fun to talk to, I gave my frank, open and honest opinion of him to add to the mix. If I or my work had been affected badly by what's happened I dare say I would also be very angry.

My experiences with him have been fine. I'm sorry and disappointed that this is not the case with others, and I'm not too au fait with the 4 points above, apart from the recent Gristlegrim edits that Ken emailed members of Trollhalla about.

I don't think it is a case of people 'still being on the fence', its more of an open discussion of events and experiences with James himself or his treatment of people's work.

[Boozer]

Ah I see, well then Kopfy has a point there. I don't like the guy and make no secret of the fact, but he doesn't deserve his work re-edited without consent from the publisher.

What a can of worms this past few days has opened and spilled out.

Not fun at all.

[Boozer]

I've taken down some of my own solos from my site that are amongst my best but I don't know if the cover art is legit or not. Perhaps I'll ask Tranter or Freels to do new covers for me so I can have them republished.

[Branderwydd /|\]

here are the scans that were requested. sorry for the delay. "a" in each set is the original 'the djinni's ring' by garcia and horne in dungeon magazine. "b" is the OP 'the djinni's power'.

Attachments:

[Branderwydd /|\]

vs.

Attachments:

[Branderwydd /|\]

another set.

Attachments:

[Boozer]

Ah.....

Hi branderwydd, how's it going, long time no speak!

[Branderwydd /|\]

and its counterpart....

Attachments:

[Branderwydd /|\]

i am well boozer, as are you i trust. saddened by this affair - as we all are - but i feel compelled to bring forth a problem i have noted. i'm a stickler for having permission to use other's ideas for material gain or at least citing one's sources as an homage, as you and i have discussed before. anyway, i think you are clear in this matter, and i wouldn't worry about your good name. i'm still coming to the UK someday as a pilgrimage honoring my celtic heritage, and i'll be looking you up. don't hold your breath waiting though - it'll be years!