Hello again I am posting this through Catie Helm because I (still)
don't have net access. thanks Catie. Now on to our irregularly
scheduled post ( rant?! :-) ). Part 1... >> What's the Traveller
equivalent of a Star Wars Blaster? Is there one?
> Recreating Star Wars using Traveller is a matter of making a number
of decisions regarding translation. My inclination would be to treat
the Star Wars blaster as a laser pistol,
the only thing I can think of is a weak plasma pistol, best fits the
bill although you could make a good pulse laser argument, actually the
more I think about it I would probably use the laser for the damage in
Traveller. If I were using the Trav/T:TNE system for star wars I would
probably use both the laser and plasma depending on how heavy a weapon
it is, and to whom it belongs (heavier stuff is illegal ;-)).
>and the Force as straight psionics.
Well yes and no, the Jedi were able to do some absolutely astounding
things, and I don't see an exact equivalency here, the Traveller
Psionics are quite a bit weaker, so I feel that when you tap into the
"Force" you are no longer using psi points to gain your effects. The
only way to learn how to do this is find a teacher ( good luck ;-), it
is possible, a couple of members of my group have met such a person but
don't know him/her yet).
> It's the light saber that is hard to translate, since I can't come up
with a good explanation for it that doesn't involve force field tech
that Traveller doesn't have.
Not that hard. The light saber is, essentially, ancient
technology in the hands of a small religious sect, powered (if I recall
correctly) by the psionic energy of the user (aka The Force). Light
sabers in Star Wars weren't something you could pick up down at the
corner Sears. They were legendary in their ability to penetrate
whatever you stuck 'em in, only the jedi had 'em, and the jedi built
their own. Steven J. Owens
I agree with this, and I am using an idea from DGP Digest # 14, 15, 16,
and 17. " The Order of the White Star" an order of Psionic knights
formed in 640 by the direct order of Empress Arbellatra, and was open
to any knight with psionic powers, "They had gained some amount of fame
due to the valor of their members." in 824 they were betrayed and
destroyed,(sounds like the jedi to me :-)), and there is no mention of
it in present library data. It went underground and still exists and is
dedicated to upholding the Empire. Unfortunately there is a group that
fled to the sword worlds and are called the Order of the Red star ,
they are dedicated to overthrowing the Empire that threw them out. Some
of the Nobility know of the White Star and some times will Knight a
person into it ( all under cover ;-)). As you can see this adds even
more complexity to an already complex political situation.
Pallique: M. Metlay produced an interesting planet I may use it, but
with the changes caused by the changing fortunes of the Imperium I
think that there might be some changes going on. ( could make the place
even more dangerous! ;-) ). I think that he did a good design on it and
it fits the purpose of the owners very well and that can do for an
explanation for it's conditions. Scott 2-G Kellog(g) :-) et, all this
was posted as an example and for use, if you see fit I think we have
used more than enough band width over it. Bored are we? Just waiting
for T:TNE Eh? :-) On to another subject: some of my players thought I
should post this... ( Sigh... I can see the flames rising around me...
:-) ).
We have been thinking a lot about the Zhodani lately and getting into
their heads ( different, but fun :-) ) Scott might not agree with some
of our conclusions but here are a couple. They are a conservative
people with a very strong sense of propriety, Due to the pervasive use
of telepathy they are a culture heading towards stagnation ( Most
individuals would not notice or realize this trend ). They depend on
the tavrchedl to take care of all of their problems. Because of this
they are also very law abiding. They also tend to think of us, (
sneaky, under-handed, lying, evil ), Denebians as shockingly informal.
Patience is not something that they are long on either, as they are so
direct and forthright. While I am on the subject here is something
Catie and I came up with over some coffee ( it is ALWAYS over coffee
:-) ). What do Zhodani Guards or Commandos do during those long
jumps...? Here it is. We bring you: Ta Da! Telepuck...
It's a simple game. You divide the teleports into two teams ( your
offensive line ). Anyone else who wants to play is on either team ( the
defensive line ). There are three goals... one for each team and one
for the puck... Oh yea! the puck. The puck is a nonteleport who can use
any of the resources of the ship ( no lethal weapons or force allowed
). If the puck can make it to his/her goal, the puck wins. Game over.
If one of the teams carries the puck from three meters outside of their
goal, into it, they win. If a player injures the puck, the puck wins by
forfeit. ( Psionic control is necessary for the games... ). If the puck
should injure a player, oh well. Telepathy may be used for locating or
communications, but not control. As you can see it can be a lot like
rugby. It is, after all, a full contact sport. Usually, one team or the
other will win, but if the puck is resourceful, he/she can win. An
interesting idea, no? They probably have teams throughout the
Consulate, and resourceful pucks are much honored. ( As you can tell,
we spend a lot of game time on what our characters are doing during
jump :-). In fact I feel that a lot of gammers miss out on this, "So
ok we're in jump when we get out..."
Really guys, if you have been jumping and skimming and
jumping, your crew is going to get weird on you, practical jokes etc.
and after a few weeks they WILL WANT OFF... ask any submariner you know
how 6 weeks under water affects them.
Jim Kellerer