Expanded CharGen (Draft)

[Spinward Scout]

:alpha:Here's an expanded Draft CharGen table to show that when you get Drafted, you don't get the elite jobs like Navy (Flight). It's usually the Grunt jobs like Infantry - which is why Army and Marines are on the list twice.

:alpha:I also threw in a couple that I thought would work well like:

aragraph: Rogue (Pirate) "Your family's starship was attacked by Pirates and they gave you a choice - 'either work for us or your Family dies'"
aragraph: Drifter (Scavenger) "You're just standing around doing nothing. The Viceroy orders you to mining duty on Asteroid X97345"
aragraph: Citizen (Colonist) "We have need for the likes of you out on Forboldn Colony. You can either head over to LowBerthing or we take you into custody for Vagrancy".

:alpha:Anyway, use or modify for YTU.
mega:

2d6 Expanded Draft table
2 Agent (Law Enforcement)
3 Army (Support)
4 Army (Infantry)
5 Citizen (Colonist)
6 Drifter (Scavenger)
7 Marines (Support)
8 Marines (Ground Assault)
9 Merchants (Merchant Marines)
10 Navy (Line/Crew)
11 Rogue (Pirate)
12 Scout (any)

 

[Cryton]

Definitely like it!

 

[CosmicGamer]

:alpha:Here's an expanded Draft CharGen table to show that when you get Drafted, you don't get the elite jobs like Navy (Flight). It's usually the Grunt jobs like Infantry - which is why Army and Marines are on the list twice.

Interesting. On first take, I liked the concept of detailing the specialization for the draft.

First, in game terms, the draft can occur anytime a character changes careers. So a character may have completed any number of previous terms and careers. Certainly not all grunt material. These draftees could have a wide assortment of skills and even previous flight experience.

I can certainly imagine college students drafted as officers. Instead of a general draft maybe there is a shortage of something, like skilled pilots.

In a time of need, why waste time and money training, why not draft skilled professionals into key positions?

So, since Traveller is a role playing game, I think I would allow the specialization to be role played too. The player can either pick one that suits the characters current characteristics and skills or make up a story (daddy is an important person) for how the character ended up drafted into the career and specialization.

 

[rancke]

What happened to getting drafted into the Imperial Others?

I firmly believe that The Draft in character generation is a game artifact representing the workings of fate. Maybe you wanted to get into the Navy, but your father wanted you to follow in his footsteps and join the Marines. Or you were all set to go to college, but your legal guardian looted your trust fund and you found yourself "drafted" into the Others (excuse me, the 'Others'). Or you wanted to join the Imperial Navy, but the planetary navy drafted you before you could join up (a for-real, sure-enough legal draft).


Hans

 

[Spinward Scout]

Interesting. On first take, I liked the concept of detailing the specialization for the draft.

First, in game terms, the draft can occur anytime a character changes careers. So a character may have completed any number of previous terms and careers. Certainly not all grunt material. These draftees could have a wide assortment of skills and even previous flight experience.

I can certainly imagine college students drafted as officers. Instead of a general draft maybe there is a shortage of something, like skilled pilots.

In a time of need, why waste time and money training, why not draft skilled professionals into key positions?

So, since Traveller is a role playing game, I think I would allow the specialization to be role played too. The player can either pick one that suits the characters current characteristics and skills or make up a story (daddy is an important person) for how the character ended up drafted into the career and specialization.

Hmmm. That's a good point. Would this table make it work better, tho?

1d6 Draft Opportunity Table
1 Opportunistic Draft - like you described above getting your pick because of family or political opportunity, possibly picking one using the original table in the book.
2 Skilled Draft - Drafted due to highest skill from previous Careers
3 General Draft
4 General Draft
5 General Draft
6 Rejected - unfit for service in some way (flat feet, too tall or short, etc...)

What happened to getting drafted into the Imperial Others?

That was CT.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Write it up and submit it to S&P - would make a good one-pager!

 

[rancke]

What happened to getting drafted into the Imperial Others?

That was CT.

Sure, but the same really applies to MGT character generation, even if it isn't quite as obvious and unequivocal as with the Others. Some societies will have a military draft of course, no argument there, but it's belief-shatteringly unlikely that every society that any PC comes from will have it. Actual legal drafts for merchants, scouts, and law enforcers are rather unlikely in the first place, although I'm sure one could come up with societies that had something of the sort. But for every society in Charted Space, or just the Imperium? I sincerly hope not.


Hans

 

[Spinward Scout]

Sure, but the same really applies to MGT character generation, even if it isn't quite as obvious and unequivocal as with the Others. Some societies will have a military draft of course, no argument there, but it's belief-shatteringly unlikely that every society that any PC comes from will have it. Actual legal drafts for merchants, scouts, and law enforcers are rather unlikely in the first place, although I'm sure one could come up with societies that had something of the sort. But for every society in Charted Space, or just the Imperium? I sincerly hope not.

Hans

Well, Law Enforcement has always had a legal draft system - "You've just been Deputized" and in some cultures, the Army was the Law Enforcement. This has always been something we seem to have a question about in Traveller. When someone goes into the 'Navy', is it the Wet/Planetary Navy, the Interplanetary/System Navy, or the Interstellar/Imperial Navy. The Draft is more of a 'government need' - I'd say it's the 'Third Imperium only' version at least for our purposes. The only time the rules mention the character's Homeworld is in the Background Skills section, but it is mentioned that it's the Third Imperium setting under the Aliens section. Everything does seem Imperio-centric. I don't know - that's a tough call. Might be something every Referee has to decide on.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Write it up and submit it to S&P - would make a good one-pager!

That sounds like a great idea! Are there rules/guidelines we need to follow?

 

[rancke]

Well, Law Enforcement has always had a legal draft system - "You've just been Deputized" and in some cultures, the Army was the Law Enforcement.

The operative word, once again, is 'some'. I can assure you that in Denmark, for instance, the Police does not draft citizens to spend years enforcing the law, and I'm fairly sure the kind of drafting you're talking about was on a strictly temporary basis.

This has always been something we seem to have a question about in Traveller. When someone goes into the 'Navy', is it the Wet/Planetary Navy, the Interplanetary/System Navy, or the Interstellar/Imperial Navy.

High Guard had rules for that.

The Draft is more of a 'government need' - I'd say it's the 'Third Imperium only' version at least for our purposes.

I'd say there's no reason to believe that the Imperium would need to resort to the draft to fill its ranks, and it's quite clear (in CT at least) that 'The Draft' can land you in the planetary navy as easily as in the subsector navy or the IN. I believe you can even be 'drafted' into the free traders, but I may be misremembering that.

The only time the rules mention the character's Homeworld is in the Background Skills section, but it is mentioned that it's the Third Imperium setting under the Aliens section. Everything does seem Imperio-centric. I don't know - that's a tough call. Might be something every Referee has to decide on.

Obviously you can't cover the laws and mores of 11,000 worlds in a set of generic rules, but that's just my point. 'The Draft' can't be a real draft, because no draft would cover every prospective PC in the Imperium.

To take this into account, I'd suggest having two different entries in the table: 'Drafted' and '"Drafted"'. Drafted would have a subtable with purely military results; "Drafted" would have one with various careers that one might be 'drafted' into by the vagaries of fate (That is, you don't usually find yourself forced by circumstances to become a doctor or scientist against your will)[*]. I'd then have a note to referees that if the PC comes from a society witout a military draft he should treat results of Drafted as "Drafted".

[*] Note that this could easily include military services too. The PC accidentally makes enemies of a local street gang and has to leave town somehow, thus getting "drafted" by circumstances into volunteering for military service.​

That still doesn't cover societies where one service is considered superior to others, so that they cheerfully draft people into the Army, Wet Navy, and Flyers, but wouldn't dream of doing the same for the Navy, but such are probably rare enough to ignore.


Hans

 

[Spinward Scout]

The operative word, once again, is 'some'.

Obviously you can't cover the laws and mores of 11,000 worlds in a set of generic rules, but that's just my point.

Exactly. This is an expansion of the basic Mongoose Core rules. I don't really want to write a whole book about it - just make some extra basic options. High Guard has it's own rules. This is more for people who just own the Mongoose Traveller Core Rulebook. It's just to give some extra options in Character Generation.

To take this into account, I'd suggest having two different entries in the table: 'Drafted' and '"Drafted"'. Drafted would have a subtable with purely military results; "Drafted" would have one with various careers that one might be 'drafted' into by the vagaries of fate (That is, you don't usually find yourself forced by circumstances to become a doctor or scientist against your will)[*]. I'd then have a note to referees that if the PC comes from a society witout a military draft he should treat results of Drafted as "Drafted".

So, you're saying there should be a section for a Civilian Draft and a section for a Military Draft?

Being forced into 'volunteering' due to personal circumstances (your example about a gang) would be different that what's been usually known as a Draft. Draft is being forced against your will to participate. Conscription. And you go to jail if you don't show up. Whereas, with your example, the character still has a choice which service to go into to get away from the gang. The Draft doesn't give them that choice. Usually.

Mongoose Traveller is also different than other versions in that in other versions, you are automatically Drafted if you fail your Enlistment roll, where in Mongoose Traveller, you can choose to not submit to the Draft.

 

[Sturn]

That sounds like a great idea! Are there rules/guidelines we need to follow?

You have to email them (somewhere at the main site has a link) and request the guidelines. They will send you guidelines plus a style reference.

 

[rancke]

So, you're saying there should be a section for a Civilian Draft and a section for a Military Draft?

No, I'm saying that if you want to expand on the draft in the character generation, I think you should distinguish between formal drafts and the vagaries of fate. (Please note, this is a personal opinion, not an order ).

Being forced into 'volunteering' due to personal circumstances (your example about a gang) would be different that what's been usually known as a Draft.

Unfortunately this is so, and many people have accordingly misinterpreted the game mechanism for a real draft, despite the incongruity of a draft board procuring recruits for the Others. Note that for all I know, the author of the MGT Core Rulebook thought of it as a real draft, too. But if he did, it's a pity he included merchants and law enforcers. So until someone from Mongoose expressly tells me that it is meant to be a real draft, I'm going to assume it's also just meant as a game mechanic.

(Please note that I have absolutely nothing against the draft as a game mechanic; I think it's a great idea. I'm just fervently trying to avert the appearance of an Imperial Draft conscripting citizens of member worlds in order to supply corporations with raw trainees or some similar silliness in some future adventure.)

Draft is being forced against your will to participate. Conscription. And you go to jail if you don't show up.

But The Draft is throwing a die and having your character randomly assigned to one of six careers, only three of which are actually military in nature (four if you count the Scouts). The worst that can happen to you if you refuse to accept that is that the referee throws you out of his game.

(And what sort of formal draft allows you to avoid it by becoming a stand-up comedian? If you successfully "enlist" as an Entertainer (Performer), you don't have to submit to The Draft. Who says what now?)

Whereas, with your example, the character still has a choice which service to go into to get away from the gang. The Draft doesn't give them that choice.

The marines were ther only ones recruiting that day. Or the army and navy recruiting offices were in another part of the neighborhood. Or he had to take a job (Citizen (Worker)) in order to pay the rent. Or he lucked into a gig as a drummer for a small band (Entertainer (Performer)). Or there happened to be a Free Trader in need of a steward (Merchants (Free Trader)) just as his girlfriend's brothers was looking for him.

Mongoose Traveller is also different than other versions in that in other versions, you are automatically Drafted if you fail your Enlistment roll, where in Mongoose Traveller, you can choose to not submit to the Draft.

The player can choose to become a Drifter rather than to have his character subjected to the draft (excuse me, The Draft). That doesn't prove anything about the true nature of The Draft.


Hans

 

[Spinward Scout]

I think I see what you're saying. In Mongoose Traveller, there's two new CharGen mechanics: Mishaps and Events. You can only roll on the Mishaps or Events tables if you're already Enlisted (or Drafted) into a Service/Career. What I think you're telling me is that you want to be able to roll on a generic Mishap/Event table to determine WHY your character wants to Enlist in a Service/Career (or failing the Enlistment roll, wants to submit to the Draft).

Is this what you mean?

Because that can be applied to both Enlistment and subsequently the Draft, if the Enlistment roll fails. And it's a great character background mechanic. But not something I'm working on right now. Might be something you could work on, tho.

 

[Dagrill]

Hi,
from our current wars, I believe the Govenment 'drafted' medics and specialists rather than additional infantry.

But, I do like your idea and the detailed assignments

Kind Regards

David

 

[MongooseMatt]

That sounds like a great idea! Are there rules/guidelines we need to follow?

Make it legible - for something like this, that is all you really need

 

[Jame]

Make it legible - for something like this, that is all you really need

And give a few lines of explanation (which I think you have already). But that's me as a potential reader.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Ok, this is what I'm going to send over to Mongoose. Everybody ok with this? Any objections? Did I miss anybody that threw ideas out? I tried to incorporate most of what we talked about.

Optional Career Rules
by: Spinward Scout
with ideas by: CosmicGamer, Rancke2

Here are some extra Career Rules to give you more opportunities in your Character Generation.

:alpha:On page 8 in the Core Rulebook, under Qualifications, if you fail your Enlistment check for the Career you want to Enlist in, if you don't submit to the Draft or have already been Drafted in a prior Career, or use the optional rules below, then make an Enlistment check on Citizen (Worker), and if you fail that Enlistment roll, then you must take the Drifter Career. This would simulate getting a job waiting tables at Brubecks, selling Popular Gravitics door-to-door, replenishing SolaCola vending machines, or flipping Big Sentient burgers for AstroBurgers. In other words, not the job you wanted but a job nonetheless. And don't forget that if your Character has Social Standing of 10 or higher, you automatically Qualify for the Nobility Career.

:alpha:On page 8 in the Core Rulebook, under Qualifications, and page 9, under Drifters and The Draft, as an option, the Referee can say that you automatically have to submit to The Draft the first time you fail an Enlistment check. This is a rule from previous versions of Traveller.

:alpha:On page 9 in the Core Rulebook, under Drifters and The Draft, these optional tables can replace the Draft Table listed.

2d6 Draft Opportunity Table
2 Opportunistic Draft
3 Highly Skilled Draft
4 General Draft
5 Military/Wartime Draft
6 Civilian Draft
7 General Draft
8 Military/Wartime Draft
9 Civilian Draft
10 General Draft
11 Skilled Draft
12 Rejected

Opportunistic Draft - This simulates having a lucky draw or pull in the Draft, such as family connections or political favors. Roll 1d6, +1 for Soc 8+, +1 for Edu 10+. If you rolled 1 thought 5, pick a Career from the Expanded Draft Table below which is your favorite. Example: if you want to be a Space Explorer, then you would choose Scouts (any), and select Explorer as your Specialization. If you roll a 6, you can pick from the main Draft Table on page 9 in the Core Rulebook. Example: if you want to be a Starfighter Pilot, then you would choose Navy (Flight).

Highly Skilled Draft - This simulates your character's skill being necessary to something the government is working on. Roll normally on the Expanded Draft Table. If your highest level skill is not listed on any of the Skills and Training tables for that Career, reroll on the Expanded Draft Table until you roll a Career that has your highest level skill listed as one of it's Skills. If your highest skill isn't listed for any of the Careers in the Expanded Draft Table, reroll on the Draft Opportunity Table.

General Draft - Roll on the Expanded Draft Table normally.

Military/Wartime Draft - This simulates a War or Military buildup. Roll 1d6+1 on the Expanded Draft Table instead of 2d6.

Civilian Draft - This simulates some Civilian necessity for workers. Roll 1d6+6 on the Expanded Draft Table instead of 2d6. Reroll if your result is 12.

Skilled Draft - This simulates having some skill the government needs at the moment. Randomly pick one of your skills, even if it's a 0-level skill. Roll normally on the Expanded Draft Table below. If the skill you picked is not listed on any of the Skills and Training tables for that Career, reroll on the Expanded Draft Table until you roll a Career that has the skill you picked listed as one of it's Skills. If the skill you picked isn't listed for any of the Careers in the Expanded Draft Table, reroll on the Draft Opportunity Table.

Rejected - Your character just got out of Draft Duty for some reason - your character is unfit for Service in some way, has flat feet, or is too tall, or too short, or some disqualification that has no bearing on the rest of your character's life. Continue on through the Career Qualifications process and don't submit to the Draft ever again.

2d6 Expanded Draft table
2 Marines (Support)
3 Army (Support)
4 Marines (Ground Assault)
5 Navy (Line/Crew)
6 Army (Infantry)
7 Scout (any)
8 Agent (Law Enforcement)
9 Citizen (Colonist)
10 Merchants (Merchant Marines)
11 Drifter (Scavenger)
12 Rogue (Pirate)

Some possible reasons for being Drafted:

Army (Infantry) - The Emperor has an insurrection to put down in a small corner of the Imperium.
Agent (Law Enforcement) - You've been Deputized by an Imperial Marshal.
Citizen (Colonist) - They have need for the likes of you out on Forboldn Colony. Head over to LowBerthing.
Merchants (Merchant Marines) - a new Trade Route opens up and the ArchDuke wants to make sure his shipments get through.
Drifter (Scavenger) - You're just standing around doing nothing. The Viceroy orders you to mining duty on Asteroid X97345.
Rogue (Pirate) - Your family's starship was attacked by Pirates and they gave you a choice - 'either work for us or your Family dies'.

Use or modify for Your Traveller Universe.

Enjoy!
mega:

 

[CosmicGamer]

Nice work SS.

After a once over, I'd like to suggest that a roll of 'Highly Skilled Draft' when the character has not served any terms (fails enlistment on first career roll) should be re-rolled.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Thanks!

Ok, here's a rewrite of the 'Highly Skilled Draft' result. I also changed it so you can use either the table in the book which allows for some of the elite jobs like Starfighter Pilot or Star Marine which my table doesn't. And Navy (Engineering/Gunnery) which some people might have.

Highly Skilled Draft - This simulates your character's skill being very necessary to something the government is working on. Roll normally on either the Draft Table on page 9 in the Core Rulebook or the Expanded Draft Table below. If your highest level skill is not listed on any of the Skills and Training tables for that Career, reroll on either table until you roll a Career that has your highest level skill listed as one of it's Skills. If your highest skill isn't listed for any of the Careers in either table, reroll on the Draft Opportunity Table. Reroll on the Draft Opportunity Table if this is your character’s first term.

EDIT: These are all great ideas, by the way.