Hi,
Hope this isn't repeating anything anyone's already said about Traveller-
like books, but if you want a series with an interesting view of FTL drives
and the definitive role-model for playing Aslans, I would heartily recommend
the C. J. Cherryh 'Chanur' series. The first book can be read on its own, the
latter three (which, without popping home to check, I believe were: Chanur's
Venture, Revenge of the Kif, Chanur's Homecoming) are a trilogy which need to
be read as such. They are written from the viewpoint of an Aslan who doesn't
understand her point in the plot, and hence may initially appear a little
confusing. You pick up a lot more information on the second read :)
Other Cherryh books, e.g. Downbelow Station are also quite good; there's one
which I forget the name of, which is about freelance Belters and their fight
against the big Corps and the govt. All useful stuff.
The Chanur books also have some interesting considerations WRT the effects of
travelling close to the speed of light; the resulting combat tactics, etc.
Also, the male/female Aslan split in the Chanur books puts one in the correct
mentality to accept the limitations on Aslan male/female responsibilities in
Traveller.
I seem to recall that A Mote in God's Eye (Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle) had
some Traveller stuff - sandcasters and the like; but it is a few years since
I read that.
NB: To Loren Wiseman at GDW - with regard to my book, do you need to mail
(genuine postage stuff with stamps, etc.) to me, or is there a GDW
representative here in the UK that would be on hand to discuss it with?
Assuming you're still interested, of course... :)
NNB: Does anyone use a winking face ;) during their mailing? As in the Monty
Python nudge-nudge wink-wink, Is she a goer? ;)
I loved Peter Brenton's informative example of vacc suit skill levels. Does
anyone have any alternatives for other skills? e.g. Combat Rifleman:
Skill level Examples of use
None Required to roll under IQ to know which end of gun is dangerous.
99% likely to be blown over backwards when firing gun. Even
large barns at close range are safe. Takes gun back to store
for refund if gun doesn't work properly. Greater hazard to own
troops than to enemy.
0 Knows which end of gun to point at enemy. Fair chance of firing
it without falling over. Moderately hazardous to barn-sized
targets at close range. Remembers to take receipt with him
when returning to gun shop; will accept exchange or repair
rather than refund. Knows vaguely what a 'bullet' is.
1 Can fire combat rifles without being blown over, with enough
accuracy to make barns want to stay at long or greater range.
Knows how one or two selected weapons in the rifle category
are stripped down, maintained, etc. Can make a good guess
at others in the same category.
2 Barns beware! Able to pick off man-sized targets at good ranges.
Wandering gnats unbothered. Can strip down most weapons in
rifleman category, possibly some from related (e.g. the non-
combat rifleman category). Character can start to think about
aiming for particular parts of an opponent (but without much
chance of hitting beyond close range).
3 Barns now find it important to hide behind large solid concrete
defences. Come to think of it, so do the sensible human-sized
targets. Characters can aim for particular parts of a target
and hit it out to medium range if settled in a good firing
position. Gnats annoyed by bullets buzzing past them.
4 Barns retiring to other continents to regroup. Character can
pick target areas on opponents - and hit - while travelling
in slow-moving vehicles. Natural selection is starting to
give a preference to those gnats that avoid the bullets.
5 Mel Gibson's character in the Lethal Weapon films. Can strip
down any rifle (possibly even alien designs) and rebuild it
as any other rifle. Can improvise a Gauss rifle from two
magnets, 5 toilet roll inners and a selection of sewing
needles. Character can hit specific areas of moving targets
at medium range while hanging upside down from a helicopter.
Barns are required to retreat to other planets to remain
safe from this sharp-shooter. Spends spare time shooting down
gnats at 500 metres. Gnats attempt to form alliance with barns.
6 No-one's ever this good (unless your characters are level 5
sharp-shooters, in which case the arch bad-guys will always
be level 6). Can teach others to make a Gauss rifle as per 5.
Can pick-off enemy eye-balls at 500 km with eyes closed.
Can ruin a gnat's prospects of a fulfilling sex-life at up to
500 metres. Barns give up and surrender en-masse.
Andy Lilly
Commander, PITS Team (Political Intelligence Team, Scout)
Nothing I say or do here in anyway reflects the views of my very kind,
understanding and generally wonderful employers.