Howdy! I said I would post this, oh, about 6 months ago? :)
Darrian 'psionics':
The Traveller alien module 8 on Darrians has very little
(read no)
information on Darrian psionics. But it seems to me that the
Darrians
should have advanced knowledge of psionics for the following reasons:
1) They have a very advanced brain physiology, having a thicker
'corpus calloseum' than other species of humaniti.
2) They are close to the Zhodani Consulate.
3) The Solomani settled Darrian space before the times of Psionic
Suppression came. Also, the Aslans settlers are capable of psionics.
(there is a table for this in Darrians, go figure)
There are 2 chirper worlds close by.
4) Darrians are curious by nature, and would certainly submit
something
like psionics to scientific study.
For all these reasons, it should be easy to find a psionic
institute using the Darrian's research networks. I would give a DM
+2 to
find an Institute over there.
5) Darrians are allies of the Imperium and share some of the same
views.
6) Darrians consider anything as difficult to control as Psionics to
be
dangerous to their society. (Remember the Maghiz? :)
For these reasons, Psionics in Darrian society would be
regarded
with very extreme disgust. Psionic researchers and especially
research
subjects must submit to many controls and gain many licenses, before
they can go on with the experiments. Psionicists without a license
may
be subjected to emprisonment pending investigations on their past
activities and psionic talents.
Special talents:
Because of their metabolic adaptibility, Darrians should get a DM +1
when rolling to see if they get the Awareness skill.
There is a rumour that Darrians can mask their infrared emanations by
manipulating their metabolism.
Mmm, also, is it possible that except for their headdress,
Darrian women can be mistaken for men unless they are pregnant and
milking? Just a thought. :) It might explain somehow why the Aslans
got along well with the Darrians.
***
On another note, I received the Subsidized Merchant and
Patrol
Cruisers figurines. I had to wait for at least a month because no
distributors keeps them in stock (here in eastern Canada anyway), but
the
Akkigish-class Merchant (4.50$) was worth the wait. It's
well-detailed and
has a good size. The cruisers were a bit flimsy for my taste.
Rafm should come up with various 3-character packs soon.
- ---(Send all comments to [email removed])
Pierre-Louis Constantin, graduate student, Universite de Sherbrooke
Le Griffon Feerique, 178 Wellington #4,Sherbrooke,Quebec,Canada
566-0036