Cybertech.. How do you handle it in CT?
- Thread starter Jamus
- Start date
I am currently building my own Traveller universe, which is a little bit more cyberpunk-oriented that the OTU - though by no means, all-and-out cyberpunk; just more "Aliens"-style megacorps and more realistic development of computer tech (i.e. hand computer available, as IRL, in late TL7/early TL8).
That said, cybernetics should never be allowed to break the game, or even to rule the setting - for that there are CyberPunk2020 and Shadowrun (Great games, but they aren't traveller). Cyber is a flavor thing - if you want that flavor at all in your Traveller game. For example take these ability gains during chargen. Instead of saying "I had some heavy lifting during that year in the Marines and it got me a +1 to STR" you could say "I had an artificial muscle augmentation implanted in me during service". Make that Chromed cyberhands (with a back/shoulder enhancement to carry the additional physical stress, ofcourse
) if you want it to be less organic.
A +1 to STR is a +1 to STR, but a cyberarm or bio-enhanced muscle fiber implants gives a certain flavor to your setting, while physical training gives another; it doesn't break the game, it doesn't even mean much in metagame terms (especially if it's organic or semi-organic and thus harder to detect), but it allows you to set a certain feel to your game.
Also, think of equipment such as respirators or IR goggles or even, in higher TLs, a hand computer - implanted versions, which will cost much and will take time to be implanted, not to mention expensive maintainance, won't be totally unfeasable - it's a matter of feel and 'atmosphere' rather than of breaking rules.
That said, cybernetics should never be allowed to break the game, or even to rule the setting - for that there are CyberPunk2020 and Shadowrun (Great games, but they aren't traveller). Cyber is a flavor thing - if you want that flavor at all in your Traveller game. For example take these ability gains during chargen. Instead of saying "I had some heavy lifting during that year in the Marines and it got me a +1 to STR" you could say "I had an artificial muscle augmentation implanted in me during service". Make that Chromed cyberhands (with a back/shoulder enhancement to carry the additional physical stress, ofcourse
A +1 to STR is a +1 to STR, but a cyberarm or bio-enhanced muscle fiber implants gives a certain flavor to your setting, while physical training gives another; it doesn't break the game, it doesn't even mean much in metagame terms (especially if it's organic or semi-organic and thus harder to detect), but it allows you to set a certain feel to your game.
Also, think of equipment such as respirators or IR goggles or even, in higher TLs, a hand computer - implanted versions, which will cost much and will take time to be implanted, not to mention expensive maintainance, won't be totally unfeasable - it's a matter of feel and 'atmosphere' rather than of breaking rules.
I am currently building my own Traveller universe, which is a little bit more cyberpunk-oriented that the OTU - though by no means, all-and-out cyberpunk; just more "Aliens"-style megacorps and more realistic development of computer tech (i.e. hand computer available, as IRL, in late TL7/early TL8).
That said, cybernetics should never be allowed to break the game, or even to rule the setting - for that there are CyberPunk2020 and Shadowrun (Great games, but they aren't traveller). Cyber is a flavor thing - if you want that flavor at all in your Traveller game. For example take these ability gains during chargen. Instead of saying "I had some heavy lifting during that year in the Marines and it got me a +1 to STR" you could say "I had an artificial muscle augmentation implanted in me during service". Make that Chromed cyberhands (with a back/shoulder enhancement to carry the additional physical stress, ofcourse
) if you want it to be less organic.
A +1 to STR is a +1 to STR, but a cyberarm or bio-enhanced muscle fiber implants gives a certain flavor to your setting, while physical training gives another; it doesn't break the game, it doesn't even mean much in metagame terms (especially if it's organic or semi-organic and thus harder to detect), but it allows you to set a certain feel to your game.
Also, think of equipment such as respirators or IR goggles or even, in higher TLs, a hand computer - implanted versions, which will cost much and will take time to be implanted, not to mention expensive maintainance, won't be totally unfeasable - it's a matter of feel and 'atmosphere' rather than of breaking rules.
That said, cybernetics should never be allowed to break the game, or even to rule the setting - for that there are CyberPunk2020 and Shadowrun (Great games, but they aren't traveller). Cyber is a flavor thing - if you want that flavor at all in your Traveller game. For example take these ability gains during chargen. Instead of saying "I had some heavy lifting during that year in the Marines and it got me a +1 to STR" you could say "I had an artificial muscle augmentation implanted in me during service". Make that Chromed cyberhands (with a back/shoulder enhancement to carry the additional physical stress, ofcourse
A +1 to STR is a +1 to STR, but a cyberarm or bio-enhanced muscle fiber implants gives a certain flavor to your setting, while physical training gives another; it doesn't break the game, it doesn't even mean much in metagame terms (especially if it's organic or semi-organic and thus harder to detect), but it allows you to set a certain feel to your game.
Also, think of equipment such as respirators or IR goggles or even, in higher TLs, a hand computer - implanted versions, which will cost much and will take time to be implanted, not to mention expensive maintainance, won't be totally unfeasable - it's a matter of feel and 'atmosphere' rather than of breaking rules.
JustinThyme
SOC-10
Travellers construct of economics kept players scrounging for ship payments as well as eating money. If a PC is also stuck paying the dues on expensive implants let's hope there is a way to set it up for Imperial Relief. And it would also seem probable that the PC will only and always be riding on someone elses boat.
JustinThyme
SOC-10
Travellers construct of economics kept players scrounging for ship payments as well as eating money. If a PC is also stuck paying the dues on expensive implants let's hope there is a way to set it up for Imperial Relief. And it would also seem probable that the PC will only and always be riding on someone elses boat.
Note: this was in T20 games but since there're no stats it's systemless
I've had a PC/NPC ex/neo-barbarian called Brown Fox who got really really drunk one night on a world outside of the Imperium with a lot of creds in his pocket and woke up with a cybertattoo the next morning and no creds.
IIRC CP2020 had something similar called SmartSkin or something. Basically he taps his right temple to cycle through a preprogrammed set of tattoos. I don't have the exact cycle right in front of me, so I'll update this post if I get it wrong, but it goes something like this:
</font>
Brown Fox has no clue why or how it works though areas where the cybertattoos are concentrated do produce some readings on a bioscanner and whatnot. If you need something techwise perhaps pre-programmed nanites, a subdural version of smart ink, and/or something related to skin pigment. As for cost adjust as needed. I'd think it would be powered by the victim's^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H user's bio-energy but might need periodic ink / nanite recharging.
These days I'd also add in an ad for the Vilani Kaakaaraa Kola somewhere in that cycle. ^_^ "Kaakaaraa Kola, the cola that coats."
Casey
I've had a PC/NPC ex/neo-barbarian called Brown Fox who got really really drunk one night on a world outside of the Imperium with a lot of creds in his pocket and woke up with a cybertattoo the next morning and no creds.
IIRC CP2020 had something similar called SmartSkin or something. Basically he taps his right temple to cycle through a preprogrammed set of tattoos. I don't have the exact cycle right in front of me, so I'll update this post if I get it wrong, but it goes something like this:
</font>
- off (normal state)</font>
- inverted gold pyramid with an eye in the center of the pyramid and gold dots extending on either side on his forehead</font>
- Third Imperium "Sunburst" on the right side of the face, Triple-Eyed smily face on the left hand side</font>
- neo-Celtic/Scythian type "tribal" tattoos covering his upper body (as in a popular imitation of the real thing; though they look scary enough in the right conditions)</font>
- off sgain</font>
Brown Fox has no clue why or how it works though areas where the cybertattoos are concentrated do produce some readings on a bioscanner and whatnot. If you need something techwise perhaps pre-programmed nanites, a subdural version of smart ink, and/or something related to skin pigment. As for cost adjust as needed. I'd think it would be powered by the victim's^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H user's bio-energy but might need periodic ink / nanite recharging.
These days I'd also add in an ad for the Vilani Kaakaaraa Kola somewhere in that cycle. ^_^ "Kaakaaraa Kola, the cola that coats."
Casey
Note: this was in T20 games but since there're no stats it's systemless
I've had a PC/NPC ex/neo-barbarian called Brown Fox who got really really drunk one night on a world outside of the Imperium with a lot of creds in his pocket and woke up with a cybertattoo the next morning and no creds.
IIRC CP2020 had something similar called SmartSkin or something. Basically he taps his right temple to cycle through a preprogrammed set of tattoos. I don't have the exact cycle right in front of me, so I'll update this post if I get it wrong, but it goes something like this:
</font>
Brown Fox has no clue why or how it works though areas where the cybertattoos are concentrated do produce some readings on a bioscanner and whatnot. If you need something techwise perhaps pre-programmed nanites, a subdural version of smart ink, and/or something related to skin pigment. As for cost adjust as needed. I'd think it would be powered by the victim's^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H user's bio-energy but might need periodic ink / nanite recharging.
These days I'd also add in an ad for the Vilani Kaakaaraa Kola somewhere in that cycle. ^_^ "Kaakaaraa Kola, the cola that coats."
Casey
I've had a PC/NPC ex/neo-barbarian called Brown Fox who got really really drunk one night on a world outside of the Imperium with a lot of creds in his pocket and woke up with a cybertattoo the next morning and no creds.
IIRC CP2020 had something similar called SmartSkin or something. Basically he taps his right temple to cycle through a preprogrammed set of tattoos. I don't have the exact cycle right in front of me, so I'll update this post if I get it wrong, but it goes something like this:
</font>
- off (normal state)</font>
- inverted gold pyramid with an eye in the center of the pyramid and gold dots extending on either side on his forehead</font>
- Third Imperium "Sunburst" on the right side of the face, Triple-Eyed smily face on the left hand side</font>
- neo-Celtic/Scythian type "tribal" tattoos covering his upper body (as in a popular imitation of the real thing; though they look scary enough in the right conditions)</font>
- off sgain</font>
Brown Fox has no clue why or how it works though areas where the cybertattoos are concentrated do produce some readings on a bioscanner and whatnot. If you need something techwise perhaps pre-programmed nanites, a subdural version of smart ink, and/or something related to skin pigment. As for cost adjust as needed. I'd think it would be powered by the victim's^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H user's bio-energy but might need periodic ink / nanite recharging.
These days I'd also add in an ad for the Vilani Kaakaaraa Kola somewhere in that cycle. ^_^ "Kaakaaraa Kola, the cola that coats."
Casey
I allow limited cybernetics but the disadvantages normally outweigh the advantages. For example:
- they're expensive (normally only ex-mil types receive them as part of rehab after a major injury)
- they break (particularly when overused or stressed beyond capacity)
- they can only be repaired at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts
- they run on batteries that are subject to energy drains and rupture if abused
- they sometimes malfunction or twitch (unless maintained properly at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts)
- they lead to cyber-psychosis and other fun illnesses and are prone to rejection
They exist IMTU for color mostly. They are there as a tool for those who need them but they aren't a true substitute for your original parts.
- they're expensive (normally only ex-mil types receive them as part of rehab after a major injury)
- they break (particularly when overused or stressed beyond capacity)
- they can only be repaired at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts
- they run on batteries that are subject to energy drains and rupture if abused
- they sometimes malfunction or twitch (unless maintained properly at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts)
- they lead to cyber-psychosis and other fun illnesses and are prone to rejection
They exist IMTU for color mostly. They are there as a tool for those who need them but they aren't a true substitute for your original parts.
I allow limited cybernetics but the disadvantages normally outweigh the advantages. For example:
- they're expensive (normally only ex-mil types receive them as part of rehab after a major injury)
- they break (particularly when overused or stressed beyond capacity)
- they can only be repaired at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts
- they run on batteries that are subject to energy drains and rupture if abused
- they sometimes malfunction or twitch (unless maintained properly at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts)
- they lead to cyber-psychosis and other fun illnesses and are prone to rejection
They exist IMTU for color mostly. They are there as a tool for those who need them but they aren't a true substitute for your original parts.
- they're expensive (normally only ex-mil types receive them as part of rehab after a major injury)
- they break (particularly when overused or stressed beyond capacity)
- they can only be repaired at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts
- they run on batteries that are subject to energy drains and rupture if abused
- they sometimes malfunction or twitch (unless maintained properly at a TL10+ facility with the appropriate parts)
- they lead to cyber-psychosis and other fun illnesses and are prone to rejection
They exist IMTU for color mostly. They are there as a tool for those who need them but they aren't a true substitute for your original parts.
For anyone looking for a free list of cybertech and such there's a free typeup of the cybergear section from OGL Cybernet here. It's OGL/d20 based* but seems to be a good basic cybergear list for ideas if nothing else. And it's free. Free is good.
Casey
* in this case the d20 Modern SRD modified
Casey
* in this case the d20 Modern SRD modified
For anyone looking for a free list of cybertech and such there's a free typeup of the cybergear section from OGL Cybernet here. It's OGL/d20 based* but seems to be a good basic cybergear list for ideas if nothing else. And it's free. Free is good.
Casey
* in this case the d20 Modern SRD modified
Casey
* in this case the d20 Modern SRD modified
If you want to make your Rebellion era darker with a more cybertech focus be sure to pick up issues of Signal GK fanzine. The early issues are chock full of adapting a darker cyberpunkish milieu into the OTU.
Also I would consider getting something from cyberpunk 2020, a believable game if you think when it was made. But, if you really want to get the feel for a Traveller style based around the Solomani Rim, I would actually recommend Fading Suns. Not so much for the neo-Feudal setting but the idea the cybernetics is something that would be shunned in the Far Future. I would place it in the Sol. Rim with a tweaking to account for the strength of the SSM in the Rim.
Also I would consider getting something from cyberpunk 2020, a believable game if you think when it was made. But, if you really want to get the feel for a Traveller style based around the Solomani Rim, I would actually recommend Fading Suns. Not so much for the neo-Feudal setting but the idea the cybernetics is something that would be shunned in the Far Future. I would place it in the Sol. Rim with a tweaking to account for the strength of the SSM in the Rim.
If you want to make your Rebellion era darker with a more cybertech focus be sure to pick up issues of Signal GK fanzine. The early issues are chock full of adapting a darker cyberpunkish milieu into the OTU.
Also I would consider getting something from cyberpunk 2020, a believable game if you think when it was made. But, if you really want to get the feel for a Traveller style based around the Solomani Rim, I would actually recommend Fading Suns. Not so much for the neo-Feudal setting but the idea the cybernetics is something that would be shunned in the Far Future. I would place it in the Sol. Rim with a tweaking to account for the strength of the SSM in the Rim.
Also I would consider getting something from cyberpunk 2020, a believable game if you think when it was made. But, if you really want to get the feel for a Traveller style based around the Solomani Rim, I would actually recommend Fading Suns. Not so much for the neo-Feudal setting but the idea the cybernetics is something that would be shunned in the Far Future. I would place it in the Sol. Rim with a tweaking to account for the strength of the SSM in the Rim.
Kafka, Do you play FS? I had the chance to sit through a session with Andy Greenberg at a con. I thought the game was excellent, including the setting. The potential to go really gothic and Lovecraftian.
Kafka, Do you play FS? I had the chance to sit through a session with Andy Greenberg at a con. I thought the game was excellent, including the setting. The potential to go really gothic and Lovecraftian.
I want to find a referee and group of players & referee to play Fading Suns with (but have not really made a substantial effort to find them in the Toronto area). Busy with other projects, you know... But, I find the whole setting very cool and wouldn't mind participating in a LARP (Passion Play) but I would have to find a way to juggle family responsibilities with playing...<sigh>
Marc, at one time was talking with HDI, in having a Traveller adventure set in the FS milieu in exchange for FS adventure in the Traveller universe. But, the deal fell through...possibly, because there was no Traveller on the market.
Marc, at one time was talking with HDI, in having a Traveller adventure set in the FS milieu in exchange for FS adventure in the Traveller universe. But, the deal fell through...possibly, because there was no Traveller on the market.
I want to find a referee and group of players & referee to play Fading Suns with (but have not really made a substantial effort to find them in the Toronto area). Busy with other projects, you know... But, I find the whole setting very cool and wouldn't mind participating in a LARP (Passion Play) but I would have to find a way to juggle family responsibilities with playing...<sigh>
Marc, at one time was talking with HDI, in having a Traveller adventure set in the FS milieu in exchange for FS adventure in the Traveller universe. But, the deal fell through...possibly, because there was no Traveller on the market.
Marc, at one time was talking with HDI, in having a Traveller adventure set in the FS milieu in exchange for FS adventure in the Traveller universe. But, the deal fell through...possibly, because there was no Traveller on the market.