Best Library Data?

[Narl]

In order to reacquaint myself with the Third Imperium I want to read through the Library Data again. I am starting a Spinward Marches campaign set in 1105. I am aware of the LBB Library Data, the MT Imperial Encyclopedia (I understand I will need to ignore the Rebellion stuff), and the Mongoose Library Data book. Perhaps there are others as well.

Which is the best and most complete? If I am only going to read one, cover-to-cover, which one stands out?

 

[Vladika]

In order to reacquaint myself with the Third Imperium I want to read through the Library Data again. I am starting a Spinward Marches campaign set in 1105. I am aware of the LBB Library Data, the MT Imperial Encyclopedia (I understand I will need to ignore the Rebellion stuff), and the Mongoose Library Data book. Perhaps there are others as well.

Which is the best and most complete? If I am only going to read one, cover-to-cover, which one stands out?

Traveller Wiki:

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Main_Page

And, it's free.

 

[Vargas]

Most of the entries are identical between those three sources. The Mongoose version is probably the most "complete" given it is the latest version and therefore incorporates elements of the two earlier ones as well as whatever is new with that revision.

 

[sfchbryan]

Stick with the CT Library data.

The MT data can't actually be trusted because the material is slanted.

The MgT data can't be trusted either - To quote Mongoose Matt: "not that canon has to be adhered to"

 

[whulorigan]

The MgT data can't be trusted either - To quote Mongoose Matt: "not that canon has to be adhered to"

That was a typo in the original thread.

It was supposed to say: "Note that canon has to be adhered to . . . "

 

[Vladika]

That was a typo in the original thread.

It was supposed to say: "Note that canon has to be adhered to . . . "

Since when:rofl:, and WHICH canon? :CoW:

 

[Narl]

Stick with the CT Library data.

The MT data can't actually be trusted because the material is slanted.

Just curious about this -- is the MT data deliberately meant to be so "in game" so to speak?

 

[Timerover51]

Just curious about this -- is the MT data deliberately meant to be so "in game" so to speak?

It appears to be that way. Against that, I am most definitely not a fan of MT, and much prefer Classic.

 

[rancke]

Just curious about this -- is the MT data deliberately meant to be so "in game" so to speak?

All library data is in-game writing. We tend to assume that whatever the LD tells us is gospel, but all it really "proves" is that someone in the setting wrote it.

It's probably about as reliable as the Encyclopedia Brittanica and Wikipedia.


Hans

 

[Spartan159]

TRAVELLER NEWS SERVICE

Capitol/Core (0508-A586A98-F) Date: 132-1116
* Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi was nearly assassinated at 1517 hours local time, 132-116. in the Grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace above Capitol/Core. Caught on the holo-recording system, the Emperor dodged Archduke Dulinor's bullet and then kicked Dulinor the length of the hall. Witnesses claim that at the moment of the dodge the walls seemed to bulge in and out briefly and the words "He is the one" were heard.

:rofl: That's my cannon and I'm sticking to it! :rofl:

 

[rancke]

TRAVELLER NEWS SERVICE

Capitol/Core (0508-A586A98-F) Date: 132-1116
* Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi was nearly assassinated at 1517 hours local time, 132-116. in the Grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace above Capitol/Core. Caught on the holo-recording system, the Emperor dodged Archduke Dulinor's bullet and then kicked Dulinor the length of the hall. Witnesses claim that at the moment of the dodge the walls seemed to bulge in and out briefly and the words "He is the one" were heard.

Interesting divergence point. However, you'd better have Dulinor's gun go off during a struggle between him and Strephon and kill Dulinor. Otherwise you have Strephon and Dulinor both alive in a room filled with guards personally loyal to Dulinor who have just commited treason against Strephon. You can see how long his ascendancy over Dulinor is going to last under those circumstances, right?

With Dulinor dead, the guards will probably trade Strephon's life for a promise to not be executed for treason.


Hans

 

[aramis]

Just curious about this -- is the MT data deliberately meant to be so "in game" so to speak?

The vast majority of it is directly quoted from CT Supps 8 & 11. What isn't is mostly new. If you want a single volume, then it's your item. It's also got a spiff equipment section.

 

[whulorigan]

Since when:rofl:, and WHICH canon? :CoW:

Reference this Thread:
Traveller Book Writer Call

See Post #2 (which you made)

Then look at Post #3 & #4.

In #4 Matt makes clear that it was a typo in his original Post #1 (the word NOT is supposed to be NOTE, which changes the entire meaning of the statement). I think we should be fair to Matt and what he clearly implies he intended to write in his post. (It also makes the particular statement in question make more sense when read in its entirety).

As to which canon, well now that is a :CoW:

 

[BlackBat242]

TRAVELLER NEWS SERVICE

Capitol/Core (0508-A586A98-F) Date: 132-1116
* Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi was nearly assassinated at 1517 hours local time, 132-116. in the Grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace above Capitol/Core. Caught on the holo-recording system, the Emperor dodged Archduke Dulinor's bullet and then kicked Dulinor the length of the hall. Witnesses claim that at the moment of the dodge the walls seemed to bulge in and out briefly and the words "He is the one" were heard.

:rofl: That's my cannon and I'm sticking to it! :rofl:

Interesting divergence point. However, you'd better have Dulinor's gun go off during a struggle between him and Strephon and kill Dulinor. Otherwise you have Strephon and Dulinor both alive in a room filled with guards personally loyal to Dulinor who have just commited treason against Strephon. You can see how long his ascendancy over Dulinor is going to last under those circumstances, right?

With Dulinor dead, the guards will probably trade Strephon's life for a promise to not be executed for treason.

Hans

Which results in this, for that part of my Traveller which takes place that late in the time-line:

TRAVELLER NEWS SERVICE

Capitol/Core (0508-A586A98-F) Date: 132-1116
* Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi was nearly assassinated at 1517 hours local time, 132-116, in the Grand Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace above Capitol/Core. Caught on the holo-recording system, the Emperor dodged Archduke Dulinor's bullet and then grappled with Dulinor the length of the hall. As they neared the main doors the gun fired again, and the traitor Dulinor fell, mortally wounded.

The guards, who had been shouting "down Strephon, up Dulinor", were suddenly faced by a very alive and angry Emperor, who commanded them to disarm. Shaken, and realizing the collapse of their conspiracy, they did so, and are currently under arrest.

 

[Hyphen]

The vast majority of it is directly quoted from CT Supps 8 & 11. What isn't is mostly new. If you want a single volume, then it's your item. It's also got a spiff equipment section.

I have a *few* of the differences showing in my Lib Data site. Try "Norris", for example.

(Although I've just noticed I've been slack and haven't updated the MT style-sheet. Ho hum, one more thing to put on the "to do" list...)

One of the big problems that DGP had to contend with was that the original text was not available electronically. The original LBB's were all typed directly into the printing machines (or type-setters, or whatever they were called back then). All the text in MT was either re-typed or created from scratch. This is just one of the reasons for the errata that occurs in the MT version, and it explains some of the minor differences in grammar and text between CT and MT library data entries.

 

[aramis]

I have a *few* of the differences showing in my Lib Data site. Try "Norris", for example.

(Although I've just noticed I've been slack and haven't updated the MT style-sheet. Ho hum, one more thing to put on the "to do" list...)

One of the big problems that DGP had to contend with was that the original text was not available electronically. The original LBB's were all typed directly into the printing machines (or type-setters, or whatever they were called back then). All the text in MT was either re-typed or created from scratch. This is just one of the reasons for the errata that occurs in the MT version, and it explains some of the minor differences in grammar and text between CT and MT library data entries.

You missed a further step - GDW retyping it into their digital typesetter, because it couldn't read files generated on a Mac. It's been mentioned before by both DGP and GDW staffers.

 

[Hyphen]

You missed a further step - GDW retyping it into their digital typesetter, because it couldn't read files generated on a Mac. It's been mentioned before by both DGP and GDW staffers.

Thanks, Wil, I didn't know that.

 

[robject]

The vast majority of it is directly quoted from CT Supps 8 & 11. What isn't is mostly new. If you want a single volume, then it's your item. It's also got a spiff equipment section.

Agreed. MegaTraveller's Imperial Encyclopedia is what I use, and I love it and the equipment list.