Ageing by Tech Level

[Grav_Moped]

On the flip-side, it's a game artifact that constrains character generation by imposing a push-your-luck mechanic onto the process.

Whether that's realistic is debatable, but it's there for a reason.

 

[coliver988]

some Traveller-derived systems have dramatically different aging mechanisms, but I have to agree with Grav_Moped: it is a mechanic to prevent the min-maxers from having a 2-century year old wizard at everything who can still run marathons. Of course, usually there are limits to skills as well, but none-the-less, it is mostly a game mechanic giving you the choice of potentially a lot of skills vs decreased physical abilities. Like all rules, making changes may affect game balance in other ways so I always use the aging rules in whichever system I am currently using.

 

[kilemall]

A somewhat subtle bit is that more personal development rolls can ‘extend life’, keeping the Final Medical Emergency at bay longer.

If you are using the INT+EDU sort of limit for skills, PD rolls would be integral to being able to pile on the skills, and by extension the character would get physical stat increases too.

If one were sold on TL based aging, balance/consequences could be maintained by rolling as per usual, and charging a set fee for skipping the stat loss. I would say something like Cr10-20000 per.

That will bite into most mustering out benefits and only the nobles or truly rich will be able to come out of chargen unscathed.

 

[whulorigan]

If one were sold on TL based aging, balance/consequences could be maintained by rolling as per usual, and charging a set fee for skipping the stat loss. I would say something like Cr10-20000 per.

That will bite into most mustering out benefits and only the nobles or truly rich will be able to come out of chargen unscathed.

That seems to be a reasonable solution. But I think the "set fee" should probably be somewhat based on TL as well. In other words, the kCr 10-20 per occurrence of stat-loss avoidance might be at the TL of introduction of the technology, the price should go down with increasing TL.

Or perhaps you pay the fee for the medical procedure, but there is only a chance (i.e. saving-throw roll) to avoid the stat-loss after the procedure (and the save-roll may improve with TL).

 

[HanleyTucks]

Diet and exercise - maybe you get an extra saving throw against loss of ability points.

In CT, undertaking an exercise regime gives +1 to strength, dexterity and endurance. You throw for dedication - the usual 8+ throw, with DM+2 if you've Int 8 or less, and +4 if you've Int 5 or less. So long as you keep it up you keep the results, and can do it again 4 years later, though as I read it the benefits aren't cumulative in the case of physical training - unlike Edu and skills.

So diet and exercise don't give you a saving throw against loss of points, but they give you some more to lose. I'd rather be dropping from 8 than from 7.

Remember too that many of the military career paths offer physical stat bonuses as a possible result. The (say) 888xxx guy is probably going to live longer than the 777xxx guy - once he's out, anyway.

I always assumed they were just scummy unfocused non-serving civilian scum.

Beautifully-expressed.

 

[Spinward Scout]

I was thinking there could be a bonus to Aging rolls not for Tech Level, but for the type of Tech Level your Homeworld was.

Like:
TL10 is Early Stellar
TL12 is Average Stellar
TL15 is High Stellar

You could give a +1 to Aging rolls for each Tech Level type above Pre-Stellar. That makes the bonus not outrageously large, but accounts for advances in genetics and medicine like vaccines and such that you get before you leave home.

Of course, negatives for each type below Pre-Stellar, too.

What do you think?

EDIT: or am I saying the same thing as other folks?

 

[Condottiere]

Part of the problem, no, genetics, of Traveller, is that it's a projection of the present into the future.

So we need to see a major change in, what, demographics and activity of the elderly now, in order to let us re evaluate that game mechanism.

 

[McPerth]

You could give a +1 to Aging rolls for each Tech Level type above Pre-Stellar. That makes the bonus not outrageously large, but accounts for advances in genetics and medicine like vaccines and such that you get before you leave home.

In this same way (but with no so high/low DMs, I'd use the DMs for TL as MgT uses for stats.

Looking at it, aside from being easy to implement, gives some curious reusults:

• TL 0-2 would be a DM of -2
• TL 3-5 would give a DM of -1 (curiously enough, TL3 represents renaissence, so the beggining of science as we know it)
• TL6-8 would mean no DM (curiously enough again, TL6 is WWII, so antibiotics)
• TL9-11 would mean +1 (TL9 means beginning of cold sleep and probably improved use of stem cells)
• TL12-14 would mean +2 (TL12 (Broad antitoxins)
• TL15 would mean +3 (anagathics)

NOTE: TLs are based on MT tables

 

[Spinward Scout]

Part of the problem, no, genetics, of Traveller, is that it's a projection of the present into the future.

So we need to see a major change in, what, demographics and activity of the elderly now, in order to let us re evaluate that game mechanism.

I think that would be a bit too much effort.

In this same way (but with no so high/low DMs, I'd use the DMs for TL as MgT uses for stats.

Looking at it, aside from being easy to implement, gives some curious reusults:

• TL 0-2 would be a DM of -2
• TL 3-5 would give a DM of -1 (curiously enough, TL3 represents renaissence, so the beggining of science as we know it)
• TL6-8 would mean no DM (curiously enough again, TL6 is WWII, so antibiotics)
• TL9-11 would mean +1 (TL9 means beginning of cold sleep and probably improved use of stem cells)
• TL12-14 would mean +2 (TL12 (Broad antitoxins)
• TL15 would mean +3 (anagathics)

NOTE: TLs are based on MT tables

Sounds good to me.

 

[MichaelSTee]

I agree with McPerth's table, although I like using the Tech Level Type for the breakpoints like Spinward Scout. I also would give a DM+1 to ANY tech level for Nobles (they always get the best food and care).

 

[PVernon]

I was thinking that +1 for every 2 tech levels above tech 6. So +1 at 8, +2 at 10, and so on. Plus a +1 for soc of 10 and better.

 

[kilemall]

I was thinking that +1 for every 2 tech levels above tech 6. So +1 at 8, +2 at 10, and so on. Plus a +1 for soc of 10 and better.

-1 for SOC 4-?

 

[PVernon]

It would work with what I outlined but I did not go there yet, probably should. Also a -1 per every other less than 4 would also fit in.

 

[Spinward Scout]

-1 for SOC 4-?

How about just using the Dice Modifier for SOC? Plus the TL Modifier. Or is that too much?

EDIT: I'm thinking either but not both. Otherwise your SOC-15 Duke from that TL-15 world is getting a +6 to Aging. Or maybe it's ok when factoring in the number of terms. Eventually the Duke would get old.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

I totes use TL affecting Aging rolls. I figure that higher TL means better health care which leads to longer life spans.

 

[mike wightman]

If you can afford it...

 

[Condottiere]

Back to diet and exercise.

Then environment.

Medical intervention, which can scale in cost.

 

[kilemall]

Back to diet and exercise.

Then environment.

Medical intervention, which can scale in cost.

Which makes SOC a definite player along with TL.

 

[whartung]

Which makes SOC a definite player along with TL.

What makes you think that SOC has an enforced economic factor tied to it?

 

[Spinward Scout]

What makes you think that SOC has an enforced economic factor tied to it?

The Feudal nature of the Imperium demands it. They aren't just Governors of land, Nobility are Rulers and are considered owners as they get higher up in rank. The Duke of Regina owns Regina as far as the Imperium thinks. Unless removed by a higher Noble, like the Emperor.

Unless I've understood this wrong all these years.