[RPG] use the kinds of monsters that appear in tabletop RPGs for commercial use in writing; how can I tell which content is public-domain

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I want to use the kinds of monsters that appear in tabletop RPGs for commercial use in writing a fantasy game with different races. How can I tell which content is public-domain?

Some types like "Vampire" are obviously public-domain. But what about the more obscure ones like "Duergar", "Drow", "Boggards", etc. – are these also public-domain?

How can you tell if a kind of creature is not public-domain?

I'm asking for advice on how to navigate the system. Please explain the steps and how you figured out how something is public domain or not.

Best Answer

Even public domain things can have elements subject to copyright and/or trademark

For example, the word “drow” is public domain: it refers to mythological northern Scottish elves. If you use it in that sense, you are not infringing WotC IP.

However, if you use the elements of dark skinned, matriarchal, tall elves, you are. Those elements are WotC IP.

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