Path of Tears (PoT) has found it's way over to the UK. It is very very good.
I have to put my cards on the table. I thought the Rebellion was an interesting
development in the game's background, and looked forward(?!) to watching the
struggle against the Long Night II unfold. I thought Virus was a 'soon to feel
outdated' gimmick to wash the Imperial background away, a marketing ploy to
kick in a new TW2Kish twist to the 'jaded' past. As it turns out, it looks as
if the Imperium (Regency) will make a comeback in the relatively near future.
My current campaign is set using the Flaming Eye scenario pack (Lishun, date
1120), using the TNE / Brilliant Lances rules. As for the HePlar Drive debate I
use the 'multiply the endurance by 10' rule. It happens to give a nice feel,
and gives the Engineer something to do. In addition the HePlar looks much more
like good old MT Thrusters, and therefore can be used in city environments. Cop
out? Yes, but I'm interested in the look of the thing.... Ok so I play Star
Wars RPG, I can give up any time. Honest . . .
By the by what happened to the poll on which rules/background we're all using?
Was it you Derek? If it's been posted apologies but although I'm on the nightly
I don't seem to get them all.
In a nutshell I would have liked to have seen a development of a fragmented
Imperium with some Core / Frontier explorations. I take it that an alternative
history supporting this is out of the question? I think so.
There is little in PoT to make me change my mind. However, I think it's one of
the nicest sourcebooks ever put together by GDW. I particularly like the
internal politics between Federalists and Centrists. Most apposite for my
country's national politics at the moment! What accomodation can be found with
the Guild? What political structure can the Federalists come up with once (if?
- - can there be any doubt) the RC has established itself. The Imperium was
incredibly Federalist. Local politics was allowed to flourish; different
regions of space had distinct cultural identities (heightened and polarised in
the Rebellion); devolved decision making by regional nobles. Sensible Imperial
codes relating to Tax and Conflict were in place to ensure the greater good of
the whole. Democratic? No. Effective? Yes. Perhaps the RC could also learn from
Imperial history? What is the RIGHT sort of government structure in the
Traveller environment? How would it change if Longbow introduces new forms of
interstellar communication?
I am interested to see what lessons the Regency has learnt from the politics of
the past, as this will impact on the Imperium for the future. Any thoughts out
there?
If I do use PoT, I will be tempted to add 100 years to all post 1130 dates, TNE
1 = 1300.
Regards
Graham
P.S. I don't believe in assimilation. Just doesn't happen. Right, now that I've
finished with this I think I'll go out and get myself a big Mac, and pop over
to the out of town Warner multi screen and watch a 'movie'. . . :-}