A bit of a pickle

[Teldurn]

Would you guys think it is basically taboo to make quest maps/packs with tiles purchased from elsewhere?

Sometimes I feel kind of restricted in just using the basic board layout. Sure, there are a couple variations, but essentially they are nothing more than the same board with the rooms switched around or wider corridors or something. I recently picked up this bundle on sale. I'd really like to make some quests with them, but obviously I feel conflicted about this.

On the one hand, is it going against the "HeroQuest way of life" as it were? Even if not, there's still the issue of incorporating the put-together quest board into heroscribe.

On the other hand, I would obviously want to share my work with the rest of this great community, but this would be problematic for other people to use these tiles I got. I can't really distribute them for free in the quest pack pdf, but I also don't expect other people to pay for these tiles just to play.

And to make matters worse, since I primarily play online via a VTT (virtual table top, in my case Roll20), I would be much more inclined to use the awesome textured, colored geomorph tiles instead of a boring HQ board that I've been using up to now.

Ugh. So many feels going on. How do you folks weigh in on the subject?

[torilen]

I've had that same thought the last few days. You could always email the company and ask them if you could
use small "icon" type pictures of their tiles in your pdfs - explain what Ye Olde Inn is, give them the website
address (maybe even a direct link to the quests thread).

(as a side note - if they say it is okay - perhaps they can offer a limited use disclaimer here at the inn, for others
who might want to use the tiles in their quests, as well)

As far as other people using the quest and buying the tiles - luckily, the tiles are not that expensive. I myself
am thinking about getting the same bundle pack. Others might, too, if there are several quests that feature
the pack. Unfortunately, it will be giving Heroic Maps free advertising, but that is the price we might be willing
to pay - especially if they say it would be okay to use an icon picture in your pdfs.

If others do not wish to purchase the tiles, at least the they have the story of your quest, and know how to lay out
the rooms, monsters, traps, etc. There are enough free tiles, both here and across the internet, that they should be
able to put together a similar game for their own group, using your storyline and layout as the base. It wouldn't take
a lot of effort to do such a thing.

It would really be no different than using fan made tiles from the Inn...if people don't want to print them out, they
can just use the basic layout and use the original HQ board for their game.

[wolfie907]

id just do it if people don't like it they don't hafta use it, and the people who like it can

[chaoticprime]

Who says you can't use other tiles with HQ? There isn't enough artistic continuity among the official tiles for anyone to NEARLY claim that kind of precedent. HeroScribe is loaded down with DDM mini map outlines.

Consequently, I have dozens of those 5x8 tiles that game with the first few DDM starter sets. Lots of multiples. I'd be willing to scrounge some spare if anyone wants to make an offer (I'm poor and I owe KK money).

[Teldurn]

And here I was worrying about staying true to the core and remaining a purist. Pshh.

[chaoticprime]

And here I was worrying about staying true to the core and remaining a purist. Pshh.

You can be a purist and still create new expansion material, just so long as you respect the structure of the original source. Using all the correct parts is for the Purist. Finding the correct parts to expand HQ has eaten up dozens of hours of my time. I like to track down old slotta Citadel minis from the 1600's or so, and that can be a real fraggler when you live in Kansas.

[knightkrawler]

And here I was worrying about staying true to the core and remaining a purist. Pshh.

fraggle that. The outside tile in Against the Ogre Horde is precedent for the creators breaking out of creative retrictions posed by the original game board. Most German fans play HQ Modular which is a canonized ruleset. And based in other countries, people made icons of the D&D boardgame, AHQ, WQ, and other games, which Derfel included in the All-in-one icon pack.
There's plenty of layouts to be playing around with. Would like to see the outcomes, so don't forget to post.

[Goblin-King]

If you make quests using only standard tiles, monsters, heroes etc, obviously a higher amount of people will play it.

That being said, you should always first and foremost make your quests for yourself, using the stuff you think will make the best and most fun quest.
So what if someone else won't be playing it? There are plenty of quests floating around. Just make what you believe to be the ultimate quest!

[chaoticprime]

And don't forget that, before you go modding stuff, you should try to at least play "Heroquest--Heroquest" once.

[Teldurn]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I no longer feel stuck. Full steam ahead, I'll post the new stuff as soon as I can.