opensent
March 9th, 2006, 07:20 AM
Does anyone have a link or perhaps some text that provides a brief overview of the Offical Traveller Universe?
I'm starting a new game and I've got a couple of players who are not familiar with Traveller and I'd like for them to have something to read that gives a brief overview of the Imperium, Starships, X-Boats, etc.
Thanks!
I'm starting a new game and I've got a couple of players who are not familiar with Traveller and I'd like for them to have something to read that gives a brief overview of the Imperium, Starships, X-Boats, etc.
Thanks!
mike wightman
March 9th, 2006, 12:13 PM
Here's a handout I give to new players:
Traveller is set in the sectors controlled by the Imperium, a remote central government possessed of great industrial and technological might.
Due to the sheer distances and travel times involved it is unable to exert total control at all levels everywhere within its star-spanning realm. As a result, the Imperium allows a great deal of autonomy to its subject worlds beyond the central Core systems.
Here on the frontier, in a sector called The Spinward Marches, extensive home rule provisions allow planetary populations to choose their own forms of government, raise and maintain armed forces for local security, pass and enforce laws governing local conduct, and regulate commerce (within limits). The Imperium asks for respect for its overall policies, and for a united front against outside pressures.
Defence of the frontier is mostly supplied by local indigenous forces, stiffened by scattered Imperial Naval bases manned by small but extremely sophisticated forces.
Conflicting local interests are often settled by force of arms, with Imperial forces quietly looking the other way, unable to intervene in any but the most wide-spread disputes, which threaten the security or the economy of the area.
The Imperium also maintains the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service, equal in stature to the Imperial Navy and Army, whose duties include exploration of and beyond the Imperial frontier, on-going mapping and surveying of Imperial territory, and the maintenance of interstellar communications through its express boat network.
The IISS maintains bases and waystations on many worlds in order to facilitate its mission.
Moving within the safety of the Imperium are the merchantmen. Whether free trader or megacorporation bulk tranport, tramp liner or luxury cruiser, it is trade and commerce which is the life blood of the Imperium.And here are a couple of useful background links:
http://www.mega-traveller.com/beowulf/libframe.htm
http://inexorabletash.members.winisp.net/maps/map.htm
http://traveller.downport.com/understanding_traveller.html
http://traveller.downport.com/images/history.pdf
Traveller is set in the sectors controlled by the Imperium, a remote central government possessed of great industrial and technological might.
Due to the sheer distances and travel times involved it is unable to exert total control at all levels everywhere within its star-spanning realm. As a result, the Imperium allows a great deal of autonomy to its subject worlds beyond the central Core systems.
Here on the frontier, in a sector called The Spinward Marches, extensive home rule provisions allow planetary populations to choose their own forms of government, raise and maintain armed forces for local security, pass and enforce laws governing local conduct, and regulate commerce (within limits). The Imperium asks for respect for its overall policies, and for a united front against outside pressures.
Defence of the frontier is mostly supplied by local indigenous forces, stiffened by scattered Imperial Naval bases manned by small but extremely sophisticated forces.
Conflicting local interests are often settled by force of arms, with Imperial forces quietly looking the other way, unable to intervene in any but the most wide-spread disputes, which threaten the security or the economy of the area.
The Imperium also maintains the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service, equal in stature to the Imperial Navy and Army, whose duties include exploration of and beyond the Imperial frontier, on-going mapping and surveying of Imperial territory, and the maintenance of interstellar communications through its express boat network.
The IISS maintains bases and waystations on many worlds in order to facilitate its mission.
Moving within the safety of the Imperium are the merchantmen. Whether free trader or megacorporation bulk tranport, tramp liner or luxury cruiser, it is trade and commerce which is the life blood of the Imperium.And here are a couple of useful background links:
http://www.mega-traveller.com/beowulf/libframe.htm
http://inexorabletash.members.winisp.net/maps/map.htm
http://traveller.downport.com/understanding_traveller.html
http://traveller.downport.com/images/history.pdf
Maladominus
March 9th, 2006, 12:24 PM
Wikipedia does a good job of explaining it. It's a little bit long of a read (the article scrolls down at least 2 pages long).
Sorry, this website forbids me from posting "URLs that contain parenthesis". Which is stupid. So I cannot directly post a link of that article here. Hmmm.
Sorry, this website forbids me from posting "URLs that contain parenthesis". Which is stupid. So I cannot directly post a link of that article here. Hmmm.
Fritz_Brown
March 9th, 2006, 04:08 PM
Of course, you could always use LBB0 as a reference, too.
kafka47
March 9th, 2006, 07:10 PM
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU. We have some good artists here on the CofI, have you ever thought of doing an intro in graphic form...well, some parts like the Rebellion will be naturally more graphic than others (pun intended).
opensent
March 9th, 2006, 07:28 PM
I cut some info out the wiki article, but I'm going to link the stuff Sigg provided as well. Thanks to all!!
hirch duckfinder
March 10th, 2006, 07:12 PM
Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU. We have some good artists here on the CofI, have you ever thought of doing an intro in graphic form...well, some parts like the Rebellion will be naturally more graphic than others (pun intended). I think this is a really good idea. Great way to engage new players.
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU. We have some good artists here on the CofI, have you ever thought of doing an intro in graphic form...well, some parts like the Rebellion will be naturally more graphic than others (pun intended). I think this is a really good idea. Great way to engage new players.
Scarecrow
March 20th, 2006, 11:40 AM
Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU.This is something I've considered for a while, but the text would need to be boiled right down to simple bites of info filling in very broad strokes. It should be the kind of thing that might appear at the beginning of a movie or TV show (like Dune, Star Trek and Babylon 5). No more than say 6 to 10 pages. It shouldn't be too difficult. There's no reason to go on about the 1st and second Imperiums or mention any real detail about the alien races beyond their names and a picture of them.
This is what I have so far. Feel free to rip it to pieces. I've literally jotted down notes at this stage:
Millenia ago the Solomani spread out from their mother, Earth to colonise the stars.
It is the year 1120 and the Third Imperium of Mankind is ruled over by the illustrious Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi.
The Third Imperium is vast, encompassing eleven thousand worlds in an area over two thousand light years across. It is so vast, in fact, that many worlds are left pretty much to govern themselves, setting their own laws and managing their own economies. Worlds and indeed, entire regions of the Imperium are ruled by minor nobility, most of whom have a stake in the throne and play games of intrigue within the Imperial court.
There are many strange and wonderful forms of life, both amongst the Imperial Citizenry and beyond it's borders. Most prominent of these races are the the human Vilani, the telepathic Zhodani, the lupine Vargr, the feline Aslan, the vegan K'kree, the lizardlike Droyne and the bizarre Hivers.
Travel between the stars is accomplished using the 'Jump' drive. A form of engine that opens up a portal into a pocket universe, allowing starships to travel many light years in as little as a week. Communications in the Imperium are limited to the speeds of these ships.
The Imperium is a thriving place. A place of commerce and exploration. Of conflict and intrigue. Of deeds both lawful and illegal. Of astounding technology and ancient mysteries.
Must also mention or illustrate:
SCOUTS
AIR RAFTS
LASER WEAPONS
GRAV BELTSThoughts?
Crow
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU.This is something I've considered for a while, but the text would need to be boiled right down to simple bites of info filling in very broad strokes. It should be the kind of thing that might appear at the beginning of a movie or TV show (like Dune, Star Trek and Babylon 5). No more than say 6 to 10 pages. It shouldn't be too difficult. There's no reason to go on about the 1st and second Imperiums or mention any real detail about the alien races beyond their names and a picture of them.
This is what I have so far. Feel free to rip it to pieces. I've literally jotted down notes at this stage:
Millenia ago the Solomani spread out from their mother, Earth to colonise the stars.
It is the year 1120 and the Third Imperium of Mankind is ruled over by the illustrious Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi.
The Third Imperium is vast, encompassing eleven thousand worlds in an area over two thousand light years across. It is so vast, in fact, that many worlds are left pretty much to govern themselves, setting their own laws and managing their own economies. Worlds and indeed, entire regions of the Imperium are ruled by minor nobility, most of whom have a stake in the throne and play games of intrigue within the Imperial court.
There are many strange and wonderful forms of life, both amongst the Imperial Citizenry and beyond it's borders. Most prominent of these races are the the human Vilani, the telepathic Zhodani, the lupine Vargr, the feline Aslan, the vegan K'kree, the lizardlike Droyne and the bizarre Hivers.
Travel between the stars is accomplished using the 'Jump' drive. A form of engine that opens up a portal into a pocket universe, allowing starships to travel many light years in as little as a week. Communications in the Imperium are limited to the speeds of these ships.
The Imperium is a thriving place. A place of commerce and exploration. Of conflict and intrigue. Of deeds both lawful and illegal. Of astounding technology and ancient mysteries.
Must also mention or illustrate:
SCOUTS
AIR RAFTS
LASER WEAPONS
GRAV BELTSThoughts?
Crow
aramis
March 20th, 2006, 07:46 PM
The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service is one of the bindings that holds the Imperium together. These hardy and intrepid sophonts keep tabs on the member worlds, carry routine correspondence, news, and imperial communiques, and protect and monitor non-spacefaring populations within the Imperium. The IISS used to do exploration, now they do maintenance and postal duty. They have always done some of the dirty work needed to keep the Imperium alive. With no ranks, honors, nor rewards, scouts work in anonymity and equality, out of duty and curiosity, for a modicum of pay, and a life of travel. Their ubiquitous utility spacecraft is the Scout/Courier, a diamond-wedge-shaped 1-8 person starship, often released to scouts who are no longer on active assignment.
kafka47
March 25th, 2006, 09:39 AM
Very nice introduction Crow, I would just visualize like the upward scrolling characters like we see at the beginning of the Star Wars films. Maybe, you and Andrew could collabourate for a movie...
I also kind of like the idea of the campfire story whereby an old timer could be telling a young girl (hey, we do have get more babes into the hobby)** who could then recount different episodes of Imperial history, like that sidebar in TNE.
**Or it could be Anime characters that seem fairly androgynous, to me at least.
I also kind of like the idea of the campfire story whereby an old timer could be telling a young girl (hey, we do have get more babes into the hobby)** who could then recount different episodes of Imperial history, like that sidebar in TNE.
**Or it could be Anime characters that seem fairly androgynous, to me at least.
Baron Saarthuran
March 25th, 2006, 01:55 PM
Let's do it. One of my first freelance gigs was laying out comics and doing seperations. I have had a lifelong love for both media, comics and Traveller.
Warhammer 40k does it. What are you saying? With all these brits around here, 40k is better? Better than Traveller?
We need to do an overview page of all projects
Warhammer 40k does it. What are you saying? With all these brits around here, 40k is better? Better than Traveller?
We need to do an overview page of all projects
Golan2072
March 25th, 2006, 02:00 PM
Originally posted by Scarecrow:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU.This is something I've considered for a while, but the text would need to be boiled right down to simple bites of info filling in very broad strokes. It should be the kind of thing that might appear at the beginning of a movie or TV show (like Dune, Star Trek and Babylon 5).</font>[/QUOTE]Yep, or along the lines of the opening scene in the Serenity movie showing the colonists leaving Earth to settle the star system depicted in Firefly/Serenity and then speaking a few words about terraformation and about the Core Worlds forming the Alliance and the Outer Worlds resisting.
Originally posted by hirch duckfinder:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU. We have some good artists here on the CofI, have you ever thought of doing an intro in graphic form...well, some parts like the Rebellion will be naturally more graphic than others (pun intended). I think this is a really good idea. Great way to engage new players. </font>[/QUOTE]Any takers? (I'd ask my girlfriend but she's overloaded with studies - a B.A. in Animal Sciences [Zoology and Livestock-Agriculture] - and her inspiration, her "muse", is very unpredictable).
What scope should it be? Something like the aftermentioned Serenity opening scene or something more detailed (even going into the 1st Imperium and the Interstellar Wars)?
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU.This is something I've considered for a while, but the text would need to be boiled right down to simple bites of info filling in very broad strokes. It should be the kind of thing that might appear at the beginning of a movie or TV show (like Dune, Star Trek and Babylon 5).</font>[/QUOTE]Yep, or along the lines of the opening scene in the Serenity movie showing the colonists leaving Earth to settle the star system depicted in Firefly/Serenity and then speaking a few words about terraformation and about the Core Worlds forming the Alliance and the Outer Worlds resisting.
Originally posted by hirch duckfinder:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by kafka47:
I wonder if it would be worthwhile endeavour to ask if anyone has done a graphic novel/comic book approach to the history of OTU. We have some good artists here on the CofI, have you ever thought of doing an intro in graphic form...well, some parts like the Rebellion will be naturally more graphic than others (pun intended). I think this is a really good idea. Great way to engage new players. </font>[/QUOTE]Any takers? (I'd ask my girlfriend but she's overloaded with studies - a B.A. in Animal Sciences [Zoology and Livestock-Agriculture] - and her inspiration, her "muse", is very unpredictable).
What scope should it be? Something like the aftermentioned Serenity opening scene or something more detailed (even going into the 1st Imperium and the Interstellar Wars)?
Baron Saarthuran
March 25th, 2006, 02:15 PM
"It is the 57th Century. Humaniti has found out that not only is he not alone in the Universe, but that Eons ago, he was taken from the cradle of Earth and settled on many other worlds. Worlds where strange new cultures grew and clashed, millions of inhabitiants on thousands of worlds living and dying over the centuries...
Great Empires rose, and fell... the dispersal of humaniti had made control of interstellar trade paramount to control of the Universe. Now, as past transforms to history, the Great Empires of the Universe affect one another in ways that only time can tell...
Into this environment walks the Traveller. The Traveller sees the panorama of Universe for what it is. While the bulk of species make a living tied to this world or that, The Traveller's life is in constant motion. Space is the natural environment. The universe is beyond scale, and the Traveller wants to see it all... Twice! The Traveller makes the most of skills gained in the past, adapting to any situation, be it repairing a Jump Drive or triumphing in deadly combat. A good Traveller is ready for anything..."
Great Empires rose, and fell... the dispersal of humaniti had made control of interstellar trade paramount to control of the Universe. Now, as past transforms to history, the Great Empires of the Universe affect one another in ways that only time can tell...
Into this environment walks the Traveller. The Traveller sees the panorama of Universe for what it is. While the bulk of species make a living tied to this world or that, The Traveller's life is in constant motion. Space is the natural environment. The universe is beyond scale, and the Traveller wants to see it all... Twice! The Traveller makes the most of skills gained in the past, adapting to any situation, be it repairing a Jump Drive or triumphing in deadly combat. A good Traveller is ready for anything..."
Scarecrow
March 27th, 2006, 05:27 AM
I keep thinking of the intro to Lynch's Dune. The intro to Serenity is an excellent example too.
I think the first thing to do is brainstorm the key elements that players need to know going in.
Here is my first brainfart:
Strephon and the overall Imperial Feudal government system.
Sectors and Subsectors and local government autonomy including amber and red zones.
Jump Drives
Major Alien Races
Tech Levels and tech examples
The Frontier
Commerce and Conflict
Crow
I think the first thing to do is brainstorm the key elements that players need to know going in.
Here is my first brainfart:
Strephon and the overall Imperial Feudal government system.
Sectors and Subsectors and local government autonomy including amber and red zones.
Jump Drives
Major Alien Races
Tech Levels and tech examples
The Frontier
Commerce and Conflict
Crow
Baron Saarthuran
March 27th, 2006, 06:05 AM
I went on the premise of making it not too spcific about details and such, and not making it an Imperial Only or Zhodani Only Observation. I went for a universal approach. I know that "57th Century" may need to go.
It also works on the premise of the "Traveller" as Adventurer, without concrete definition of careers. It also kind of makes a social distinction between planetlubbers and "Ship People". If the Average PC party is any indicator, I would think a Lot of worlds may be at least wary of groupings of offworld wierdoes...
THe above on second reading may be too corny... but I wanted to convey scope. The Idea that anything is possible out there.
I liked the old intro to Battlestar as read by Patrick McNee. Good bit that.
It also works on the premise of the "Traveller" as Adventurer, without concrete definition of careers. It also kind of makes a social distinction between planetlubbers and "Ship People". If the Average PC party is any indicator, I would think a Lot of worlds may be at least wary of groupings of offworld wierdoes...
THe above on second reading may be too corny... but I wanted to convey scope. The Idea that anything is possible out there.
I liked the old intro to Battlestar as read by Patrick McNee. Good bit that.
Baron Saarthuran
March 27th, 2006, 06:08 AM
To self edit further, The first sentence is really clumsy.
also the word "Universe" is used to much, even tho it rules as a word. ITs got a lot of power to it. Scale...
also the word "Universe" is used to much, even tho it rules as a word. ITs got a lot of power to it. Scale...
whartung
March 28th, 2006, 08:29 PM
I dunno, I don't think you have to explain it at all. I mean, regarding the Serenity opening, as a device it was "ok", but it could also have been incorporated in the narrative.
For example, look at, say, the movie "Braveheart". It pretty well explains as much of the English Feudal system as it really necessary within the context of the movie. You don't need to be an English History major to understand it, and he the "Youth of Today" can figure it out with even knowing there IS an England.
There's no reason to explain every particular nuance, particularly of something as large as the Imperium, in the context of a single story.
For example, you could over hear a conversation in a bar between two guys discussing being boarded by Vargr pirates without having to know anything about Vargrs save that they're pirates.
One thing I think that is quite interesting was a quote by Jerry Bruckheimer, a mega blockbust movie producer who happens to be behind TV shows like CSI.
He was talking about how he likes television simply because you have more time to tell the story. In a movie you have 2, maybe 3 hours. In TV you have 13+ hrs to tell the story.
Serenity and Firefly are perfect examples of that. There really wasn't much of a reason to "explain" the Verse and Alliance all at once in Firefly, because you have all this time to do it (assuming that the show is, you know, actually broadcast in order -- and completely, but water under the bridge...).
With many modern shows being long running serials, I think the difference between a "movie" actor and a "TV" actor is starting to drift. Add in the essentially "R" rated flexibility that something like the Soprano's offer, and we're today getting very high quality broadcast content.
The hardest part is simply that 1hr time barrier to break the show up in to. It can mess with continuity a bit.
For example, look at, say, the movie "Braveheart". It pretty well explains as much of the English Feudal system as it really necessary within the context of the movie. You don't need to be an English History major to understand it, and he the "Youth of Today" can figure it out with even knowing there IS an England.
There's no reason to explain every particular nuance, particularly of something as large as the Imperium, in the context of a single story.
For example, you could over hear a conversation in a bar between two guys discussing being boarded by Vargr pirates without having to know anything about Vargrs save that they're pirates.
One thing I think that is quite interesting was a quote by Jerry Bruckheimer, a mega blockbust movie producer who happens to be behind TV shows like CSI.
He was talking about how he likes television simply because you have more time to tell the story. In a movie you have 2, maybe 3 hours. In TV you have 13+ hrs to tell the story.
Serenity and Firefly are perfect examples of that. There really wasn't much of a reason to "explain" the Verse and Alliance all at once in Firefly, because you have all this time to do it (assuming that the show is, you know, actually broadcast in order -- and completely, but water under the bridge...).
With many modern shows being long running serials, I think the difference between a "movie" actor and a "TV" actor is starting to drift. Add in the essentially "R" rated flexibility that something like the Soprano's offer, and we're today getting very high quality broadcast content.
The hardest part is simply that 1hr time barrier to break the show up in to. It can mess with continuity a bit.
aramis
March 29th, 2006, 01:22 AM
It has been 5760 years since the Romans nailed a jewish preacher to a tree, and changed Terra for millenia. Mankind has found that there are many worlds, and many of them are inhabited. As mankind left the cradle of Terra, they found that someone before had spread humankind across the known universe. But Mankind is not alone. 8 groups discovered the secrets to travelling the stars... The enigmatic and tradition-bound Droyne, The proud and fierce Aslan, the brash and chaotic Vargr, The manipulating Hivers, the militant vegetarian K'Kree, and three groups of humans: Zhodani, perfidous psionicists; The Vilani, calculating bureaucrats; and the Terrans, now called Solomani, the bringers of change.
The Third Imperium.... for 1100 years of the Nobility keeping the 11000 worlds from annihilating each other. One man, Strephon Alkhalikoi, sits on the Iridium throne, binding together the remenants of the Vilani and Terran Imperiums.
The Imperium is run by the nobility, scattered about, all in fealty to their Emperor, Strephon. Under their control, the various fleets of the Imperial Navy maintain the peace. The Imperial Marines, carried with the navy, provide the iron fist the Archdukes use to keep their underlings in line.
The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service keeps the official lines of communication open, providing electronic mail services, perfoming the census and internal mapping surveys, and keeping tabs upon the worlds in and near the Imperium.
The tasks of keeping the lines of trade and communication open are mighty, as the Jump Drive, which allows ships to punch into hyperspace, can only travel at best 6 parsecs per jump, and any jump takes a week, no matter how short. And every so often, a ship never comes out of jump, or exits far from the intended exit point. Try as they might, no known power in the universe has been able to send messages any faster than light speed except by sending a ship, nor to attain a controlled jump of more than 6 parsecs distance.
Local tensions often run high, and worlds are permitted local government of choice, merchant and self-defense fleets, so long as they meet their Imperial quotas for recruits, ships, fuel, and food. The Imperium has learned that hostilities will break out, and regulates them rather than prohibits them... including piracy and espionage.
Despite the hazards of thousands of subject governments, state permitted piracy and internal warfare, the vagaries of jump space, hardy souls take to the stars, some as merchants, some as tourists, some as mercenaries or pirates, and some as criminals... These are Travellers, and this game tells their stories.
The Third Imperium.... for 1100 years of the Nobility keeping the 11000 worlds from annihilating each other. One man, Strephon Alkhalikoi, sits on the Iridium throne, binding together the remenants of the Vilani and Terran Imperiums.
The Imperium is run by the nobility, scattered about, all in fealty to their Emperor, Strephon. Under their control, the various fleets of the Imperial Navy maintain the peace. The Imperial Marines, carried with the navy, provide the iron fist the Archdukes use to keep their underlings in line.
The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service keeps the official lines of communication open, providing electronic mail services, perfoming the census and internal mapping surveys, and keeping tabs upon the worlds in and near the Imperium.
The tasks of keeping the lines of trade and communication open are mighty, as the Jump Drive, which allows ships to punch into hyperspace, can only travel at best 6 parsecs per jump, and any jump takes a week, no matter how short. And every so often, a ship never comes out of jump, or exits far from the intended exit point. Try as they might, no known power in the universe has been able to send messages any faster than light speed except by sending a ship, nor to attain a controlled jump of more than 6 parsecs distance.
Local tensions often run high, and worlds are permitted local government of choice, merchant and self-defense fleets, so long as they meet their Imperial quotas for recruits, ships, fuel, and food. The Imperium has learned that hostilities will break out, and regulates them rather than prohibits them... including piracy and espionage.
Despite the hazards of thousands of subject governments, state permitted piracy and internal warfare, the vagaries of jump space, hardy souls take to the stars, some as merchants, some as tourists, some as mercenaries or pirates, and some as criminals... These are Travellers, and this game tells their stories.
alanb
March 29th, 2006, 03:49 AM
Originally posted by Aramis:
It has been 5760 years since the Romans nailed a jewish preacher to a tree, and changed Terra for millenia.It's even better than that. There is no direct evidence that there ever was a "Jewish preacher", or if there was, that he lived at the time he was supposed to have been nailed to a tree.
That goes to show how powerful belief actually is.
It has been 5760 years since the Romans nailed a jewish preacher to a tree, and changed Terra for millenia.It's even better than that. There is no direct evidence that there ever was a "Jewish preacher", or if there was, that he lived at the time he was supposed to have been nailed to a tree.
That goes to show how powerful belief actually is.
Golan2072
March 29th, 2006, 08:42 AM
Just remember that in a TV show or a movie, the creator controls all characters; in an RPG, the players control some of the characters, so the players will need to know a little more about the universe before gamestart than TV/movie viewers need to know before watching a new series/movie.
Baron Saarthuran
March 29th, 2006, 12:06 PM
WARNING! CRTITIQUE BELOW! NOTHING PERSONAL!
(sorry, It's SOP Disclaimer)
The Jewish Preacher bit stings. Too Callous. People will react negatively. This is not to spark a religious debate, but there should be no mention of Romans or Jesus, even indirectly. It sounds silly, but Romans in the first tagline could be misinterpreted.
In some Areas (particulary the description of Nobles, what?) it is a little confining and prmotes a TOO pre-concieved notion of certain things. The use of the term "vegan" to describe K'Kree is promotion of a word not yet recognized as being anything more than a social affectation
(just dont say it to a Vegan)and is not exactly accurate, as it imples that they do not Hunt...
Also, the use of specific names and dates can lead to zzzz for exhibition. Think not on how cool the Intro to Lynch's DUNE is, but how many people didn't understand it. For a rediculously extreme example, watch the beginning of Chronicles Of Riddick. Ten minutes of Necromongers, etc...
(sorry, It's SOP Disclaimer)
The Jewish Preacher bit stings. Too Callous. People will react negatively. This is not to spark a religious debate, but there should be no mention of Romans or Jesus, even indirectly. It sounds silly, but Romans in the first tagline could be misinterpreted.
In some Areas (particulary the description of Nobles, what?) it is a little confining and prmotes a TOO pre-concieved notion of certain things. The use of the term "vegan" to describe K'Kree is promotion of a word not yet recognized as being anything more than a social affectation
(just dont say it to a Vegan)and is not exactly accurate, as it imples that they do not Hunt...
Also, the use of specific names and dates can lead to zzzz for exhibition. Think not on how cool the Intro to Lynch's DUNE is, but how many people didn't understand it. For a rediculously extreme example, watch the beginning of Chronicles Of Riddick. Ten minutes of Necromongers, etc...
aramis
March 29th, 2006, 10:12 PM
Saarthuran: I didn't use "Vegan", I used "Vegetarian." Your visual problem, not my editing.
AS to the initial lines, it sets the time, it was, at worst, an afterthought. AS to historical documentation, there is plenty of evidence of his followers, and a couple of offhand references in Roman histories to a a variety of Jewish preachers, just none by name Yeshua Ben Yoseph bar Nazarat. We do, however, have the writings of one Peter, who happens to have been executed by the romans, also nailed to a cross, within a few years.
The reference tho, is one to a specific date upon which the modern calendar is based.
AS to the initial lines, it sets the time, it was, at worst, an afterthought. AS to historical documentation, there is plenty of evidence of his followers, and a couple of offhand references in Roman histories to a a variety of Jewish preachers, just none by name Yeshua Ben Yoseph bar Nazarat. We do, however, have the writings of one Peter, who happens to have been executed by the romans, also nailed to a cross, within a few years.
The reference tho, is one to a specific date upon which the modern calendar is based.
alanb
March 29th, 2006, 10:27 PM
Originally posted by Aramis:
The reference tho, is one to a specific date upon which the modern calendar is based. Correct, and I was being a jerk. Sorry.
there is plenty of evidence of his followers,Correct. But obviously this is not the same thing.
references in Roman histories to a a variety of Jewish preachers,Also correct.
We do, however, have the writings of one Peter, who happens to have been executed by the romans, also nailed to a cross, within a few years.This would be an interesting discussion in its own right, but quite irrelevant to this thread, alas.
I'll go away now.
The reference tho, is one to a specific date upon which the modern calendar is based. Correct, and I was being a jerk. Sorry.
there is plenty of evidence of his followers,Correct. But obviously this is not the same thing.
references in Roman histories to a a variety of Jewish preachers,Also correct.
We do, however, have the writings of one Peter, who happens to have been executed by the romans, also nailed to a cross, within a few years.This would be an interesting discussion in its own right, but quite irrelevant to this thread, alas.
I'll go away now.
Baron Saarthuran
March 29th, 2006, 10:28 PM
Take it easy, Coach, just trying to be helpful.
Fritz_Brown
March 30th, 2006, 01:27 PM
I don't want to enflame a discussion better left to the Political Pulpit, but there is just as much, if not more, historical evidence re: Jesus' crucifixion than there is for numerous other things accepted as historical fact. The manuscript evidence is overwhelming. Thanks for being stand-up about it, alanb. smile.gif
Baron Saarthuran
March 30th, 2006, 01:44 PM
So we should get working on space Jesus and Space Romans?
That is my point. In exhibition, it is a bad idea to mention something without expansion on it, or for it to have not some bearing on the game. It is too Terracentric.
That is my point. In exhibition, it is a bad idea to mention something without expansion on it, or for it to have not some bearing on the game. It is too Terracentric.
kafka47
March 30th, 2006, 06:15 PM
baron, we are bound with come up with a document that is going to be Terracentric, as remember we are not marketing this product to the converted but rather the uncoverted. Whilst, I do agree, the religious reference was tacky reminscent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, most people would not get it and get offended in the process. The introduction has to be something that lures people in, as Baron said, just like in the beginning of Chronicles not Dune. Personally, I like the idea of the campfire of an old timer telling a story but we could go for something more cold like a series of Encyclopedia Imperia/Library Data entries.
The starship encountering a vast world almost all covered, someone reaching over and punching in the Library Data on the World: Capital.
Giving a brief overview of Imperial history right there in a nutshell.
Another possibility is a museum tour a la Traveller Adventure/rebooted Time Machine movie whereby exhibits tell there own story.
The starship encountering a vast world almost all covered, someone reaching over and punching in the Library Data on the World: Capital.
Giving a brief overview of Imperial history right there in a nutshell.
Another possibility is a museum tour a la Traveller Adventure/rebooted Time Machine movie whereby exhibits tell there own story.
Baron Saarthuran
March 31st, 2006, 01:04 AM
Of course it must be terracentric to be understandable, but if the uninitiated is the key, perhaps we need to develop campaign models, so that new players do not have to do just the imperium, or just sols... the persepctive of the overview should be as clear, short, and as objective as possible.
We need to find the "heart" of it. The Gist... Is it the Jump Drive? The Imperium? What are the things to touch on in a setting so wide? Specifics right out of the gate might be confusing to some new players....
We need to find the "heart" of it. The Gist... Is it the Jump Drive? The Imperium? What are the things to touch on in a setting so wide? Specifics right out of the gate might be confusing to some new players....
TheEngineer
March 31st, 2006, 02:58 AM
Hi !
Guess its a very though thing to introduce the Traveller Universe within just a couple of sentences. At least it posesses aspects of several thousend Earths. Just try to describe this single Earth that way.. smile.gif
But what do we really need to know in order to get along in this world and to feel somehow comfortable ?
If we would stress the vastness of the TU and dozens of its features just in the introduction a player might get "lost" soon.
So perhaps its a good way to keep the global aspects of the TU fairly vague, but concentrate on the actual, maybe narrow, perspective of players and their characters (yes, just like in Serenity).
Thats why I really like the phrase "This is Free Trader Beowulf, calling anyone...". This one introduces Traveller from the individuals perspective and a very specific situation. Its just totally unimportant here, that there are 11000 worlds around and an Imperium etc...
So, what about introducing the TU from this kind of perspective and by an expanded story of a Free Trader Beowulf ?
We might not need a technocratic fact presenting abtract but a pretty little story to help players to get their place and situation in a world.
Any storyteller around ?
Anyway I really like Aramis approach, as it connects real history (things players already know) with the fictional extrapolation.
Perhaps the concepts could be combined....
Regards,
Mert
Guess its a very though thing to introduce the Traveller Universe within just a couple of sentences. At least it posesses aspects of several thousend Earths. Just try to describe this single Earth that way.. smile.gif
But what do we really need to know in order to get along in this world and to feel somehow comfortable ?
If we would stress the vastness of the TU and dozens of its features just in the introduction a player might get "lost" soon.
So perhaps its a good way to keep the global aspects of the TU fairly vague, but concentrate on the actual, maybe narrow, perspective of players and their characters (yes, just like in Serenity).
Thats why I really like the phrase "This is Free Trader Beowulf, calling anyone...". This one introduces Traveller from the individuals perspective and a very specific situation. Its just totally unimportant here, that there are 11000 worlds around and an Imperium etc...
So, what about introducing the TU from this kind of perspective and by an expanded story of a Free Trader Beowulf ?
We might not need a technocratic fact presenting abtract but a pretty little story to help players to get their place and situation in a world.
Any storyteller around ?
Anyway I really like Aramis approach, as it connects real history (things players already know) with the fictional extrapolation.
Perhaps the concepts could be combined....
Regards,
Mert
Scarecrow
March 31st, 2006, 04:52 AM
Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran von Gushiddan:
Think not on how cool the Intro to Lynch's DUNE is, but how many people didn't understand it. A beginning is a very delicate time.
Know then that it is the year 10191.
The Known Universe is ruled by the Padisha Emperor Shadam IV. My father.
In this time, the most precious substance in the Universe, is the Spice Melange.
The Spice extends life.
The Spice expands conciousness.
The Spice is vital to Space Travel.
The Spacing Guild and it's navigators whom the spice has mutated over 4000 years, use the orange spice gas which gives them the ability to
fold space. That is, travel to any part of the universe without moving.
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. The Spice exists on only one planet in the entire Universe. A desolate, dry planet with vast deserts.
Hidden away within the rocks of these deserts are a people known as the Fremen who have long held a profecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.
The planet is Arakis. Also known as, 'Dune'.What's not to understand?
Okay, it may not be the best example of an intro and I don't like the 'Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, but what I'm really after is something that fills in the player on Traveller's essential tropes in the broadest possible strokes. Something new players can read in a just a minute or two and enter the Traveller Universe with some basic idea of how it works. The details they can discover as they play.
They need to know it's spread over a wide area of the Universe. They need to know that it is ruled by a Feudal system with an Emperor and regional nobles. They need to know that they can travel between stars using a 'Jump' Drive. They need to know what alien races and careers there are so that they may choose to be one when creating a character. They need to know that technology is at 'laser gun' stage but there are no lightsabres. They need to know that they can have psionic powers and they need to know all this as simply and as palatably as possible.
For what it's worth, I rather liked Aramis' take though I found it a little too wordy and whilst I also wasn't keen on the first line, it's only because I felt it was frivolous and flippant and doesn't really have anything to do with Traveller.
Crow
Think not on how cool the Intro to Lynch's DUNE is, but how many people didn't understand it. A beginning is a very delicate time.
Know then that it is the year 10191.
The Known Universe is ruled by the Padisha Emperor Shadam IV. My father.
In this time, the most precious substance in the Universe, is the Spice Melange.
The Spice extends life.
The Spice expands conciousness.
The Spice is vital to Space Travel.
The Spacing Guild and it's navigators whom the spice has mutated over 4000 years, use the orange spice gas which gives them the ability to
fold space. That is, travel to any part of the universe without moving.
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. The Spice exists on only one planet in the entire Universe. A desolate, dry planet with vast deserts.
Hidden away within the rocks of these deserts are a people known as the Fremen who have long held a profecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.
The planet is Arakis. Also known as, 'Dune'.What's not to understand?
Okay, it may not be the best example of an intro and I don't like the 'Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, but what I'm really after is something that fills in the player on Traveller's essential tropes in the broadest possible strokes. Something new players can read in a just a minute or two and enter the Traveller Universe with some basic idea of how it works. The details they can discover as they play.
They need to know it's spread over a wide area of the Universe. They need to know that it is ruled by a Feudal system with an Emperor and regional nobles. They need to know that they can travel between stars using a 'Jump' Drive. They need to know what alien races and careers there are so that they may choose to be one when creating a character. They need to know that technology is at 'laser gun' stage but there are no lightsabres. They need to know that they can have psionic powers and they need to know all this as simply and as palatably as possible.
For what it's worth, I rather liked Aramis' take though I found it a little too wordy and whilst I also wasn't keen on the first line, it's only because I felt it was frivolous and flippant and doesn't really have anything to do with Traveller.
Crow
Chaos
March 31st, 2006, 07:35 AM
FWIW I liked Aramis´ summary, too. My suggestion for avoiding the controversy in the first sentence is, to replace it with something like: "Three and a half millenia have passed since we realized we are not alone in the universe." I´d leave out the second sentence, too, and substitute "we" for "Mankind" in the rest of the paragraph.
Baron Saarthuran
March 31st, 2006, 01:08 PM
There is nothing wrong per se with the intro for DUne to me, I had read the book several times even before the film was out. Thing is, when you cram a book that is as thick as a 2x4 into two hours of screen time. Something is lost. Consider also the "expanded" version of the movie, where they attempt to deepen the exhibition (read by the bald guy from REsivoir Dogs!) explaining about Butlerian Jihad, etc...
When first released, I and my fellow movie goers were handed a one sheet paper (!) listing and briefly describing characters and rough concepts.
Me, I have that framed, but I also remember the garbage can being full of them. I also remember getting pissed off while watching the film because there were several groups around me either walking out, or saying loudly "What the Hell is Going on?"
If it is to entice the uninitiated, you must determine who that uninitiated is. Is this for Science Fiction fans? RPG fans? People unfamiliar with both? If its the third one, then focus on clarity is essential.
Traveller got me with its Spartan look, (until the Traveller Book came out, and I became addicted) It looked like some secret report, pretty cool.
"Accessible" does not have to mean "Dumbed down to the point of lameness". The reader needs to want to read the rest of the book.
When first released, I and my fellow movie goers were handed a one sheet paper (!) listing and briefly describing characters and rough concepts.
Me, I have that framed, but I also remember the garbage can being full of them. I also remember getting pissed off while watching the film because there were several groups around me either walking out, or saying loudly "What the Hell is Going on?"
If it is to entice the uninitiated, you must determine who that uninitiated is. Is this for Science Fiction fans? RPG fans? People unfamiliar with both? If its the third one, then focus on clarity is essential.
Traveller got me with its Spartan look, (until the Traveller Book came out, and I became addicted) It looked like some secret report, pretty cool.
"Accessible" does not have to mean "Dumbed down to the point of lameness". The reader needs to want to read the rest of the book.
Golan2072
April 15th, 2006, 05:11 AM
I like the illustrated scenes in T4 (such as on p.6, p.10 and so on); they convey the spirit of the setting quite well in both artwork and text.
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