I'm sure that if a Barbarian is intelligent or curious enough, they could learn a little about 'computers or gunnery' without giving up their culture and/or beliefs. If a Barbarian is enchanted enough by technology, they might give up their old culture and convert to the new culture. At this point, they are no longer a Barbarian but a Technologically Savvy Traveller.
The Silurian hypothesis
- Thread starter Carlobrand
- Start date
Someone actually wrote a Traveller variant for the ancient greek/roman era. So, no, it's not of need either disingenuous nor silly. More than one, actually, as I've two on my old computer, and a third on this one.While I find the question a little silly and disingenuous, I will still answer it.
I have never, ever had a player ask to play an Ancient Greek in Traveller, ever. Nor have I ever had a GM run a Traveller game set in Ancient Greece. Interesting game you play sir. Glad you had fun playing your way.
And the ancient greeks had at least one computing device for certain: The Antikythera Device, a calendar/orrery. certain descriptions of other devices, once thought to be mere legend, now have peopla actually making them with techniques demonstrated to be period appropriate and resulting in a working reimplementation of the quite broken Antikythera Device. Clickspring, on youtube, did a whole series on making it, documenting his techniques and materials. Gorgeous little beast.
casquilho
SOC-13
The idea of Greek/Roman era game was not what I felt was silly and disingenuous. I have played Rider and the Sword of Cepheus so era crossing rule sets are not what I found disingenuous nor silly. It was the question itself that was.
I said I had never tracked the TL a skill was earned at, to then be asked how many Ancient Greeks I had learn Computer - 1 or Gunnery. That, to me, felt like a personal jab and a gate keeping question. If it was not, then I am sorry, I wish he had worded his question differently.
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Looked up the A. Device on the Wiki. An interesting read for many reasons. Thanks for sharing.
kilemall
SOC-14 5K
The TL3 Model/0 computer.
TL1 Model/0 fib. Pretty sure it's immune to EMP effect from nearby nuclear detonations.
King Midas
SOC-9
I suspect you misinterpreted an honest question.The idea of Greek/Roman era game was not what I felt was silly and disingenuous. I have played Rider and the Sword of Cepheus so era crossing rule sets are not what I found disingenuous nor silly. It was the question itself that was.
I said I had never tracked the TL a skill was earned at, to then be asked how many Ancient Greeks I had learn Computer - 1 or Gunnery. That, to me, felt like a personal jab and a gate keeping question. If it was not, then I am sorry, I wish he had worded his question differently.
Thought Experiment: Suppose during character generation, a character was specified as from a TL 1 world with an ED of 10, and wound up in the Navy career. Should said hypothetical character be allowed to roll on the Tech Services chart? I love whimsy, so I'd go for it, but I imagine a lot of GMs wouldn't.
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
If it is an Imperial world then the world may be TL1 but the knowledge base is TL15.
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 5K
I see no impediments to that chain of events happening.
The character would definitely develop as a "fish out of water" story, but it's not like there's some sort of "genetic inhibition" that prevents the character from learning anything TL=2+ during their lifetime.
Give a TL=1 background character the opportunity to go to space and (so long as they can "hack it") they could turn out to be a reliable crewman, perhaps even get promoted to officer ranks (depending on merit and performance). The only real downsides to such an outcome would be that their formative years weren't living in ultra-high tech surroundings (along with everything that implies).
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
If a barbarian is diplomatically or politically useful, he and/or his offspring, will get fostered/sponsored at an Imperium court/institution.
GypsyComet
SOC-14 1K
I suspect the Sydites (dating in current form to T20) are also derived from Neanderthal stock, though more extensively modified than even the Ziadd.
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