Help out a noob

[Sorel]

Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now.

I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB).

It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

 

[Sorel]

Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now.

I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB).

It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

 

[Berg]

Originally posted by Sorel:
Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now)

Welcome Sorel! We best be getting you rolling... You got alot of catching up to do

Originally posted by Sorel:
I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB)

Good choice and yes, LBB in bigger format

Originally posted by Sorel:
It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it

You'll get lots of advice here, so ask away and others will surely come

Originally posted by Sorel:
I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

There has been some threads on using some "monsters" as alien foes, but that is another story

P.S. Good to see another Northerner!

 

[Berg]

Originally posted by Sorel:
Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now)

Welcome Sorel! We best be getting you rolling... You got alot of catching up to do

Originally posted by Sorel:
I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB)

Good choice and yes, LBB in bigger format

Originally posted by Sorel:
It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it

You'll get lots of advice here, so ask away and others will surely come

Originally posted by Sorel:
I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

There has been some threads on using some "monsters" as alien foes, but that is another story

P.S. Good to see another Northerner!

 

[Fritz_Brown]

Make sure you get into the LBB0 when your book arrives. It is the basic intro - yes it introduces role-playing in general, but also Traveller.

If you want an adventure, and don't want to wait on eBay or another reprint (there is one for all the supplements, including Patrons, as well as one each for the Double Adventures and the Adventures), check out Stellar Reaches. Put together by one of our outstanding contributors (Flynn), each one has an adventure (so far). The last one also contains some results of a little contest we did here concerning "Ethical Patrons". Edit: The fourth one should be out shortly! end edit

Also, you can check out Freelance Traveller's Active Measures for some ideas.

Lastly, (but, most importantly!) you can check out the electronic format stuff here (especially the Golden Age EPIC Adventures) or some of the original stuff (MegaTraveller or later only, unfortunately) at DriveThruRPG.

HTH, and welcome!

 

[Fritz_Brown]

Make sure you get into the LBB0 when your book arrives. It is the basic intro - yes it introduces role-playing in general, but also Traveller.

If you want an adventure, and don't want to wait on eBay or another reprint (there is one for all the supplements, including Patrons, as well as one each for the Double Adventures and the Adventures), check out Stellar Reaches. Put together by one of our outstanding contributors (Flynn), each one has an adventure (so far). The last one also contains some results of a little contest we did here concerning "Ethical Patrons". Edit: The fourth one should be out shortly! end edit

Also, you can check out Freelance Traveller's Active Measures for some ideas.

Lastly, (but, most importantly!) you can check out the electronic format stuff here (especially the Golden Age EPIC Adventures) or some of the original stuff (MegaTraveller or later only, unfortunately) at DriveThruRPG.

HTH, and welcome!

 

[Ptah]

Welcome Sorel,

A member Flynn has put together a very nice fanzine Stellar Reaches with CT information and adventures, side by side with information (IIRC), which might help you make the leap. I'm sure you'll see him around but here's the link:
http://stellarreaches.nwgamers.org/

One difference with respect to most fantasy RPGs, you characters generally want to avoid personal combat, it can be very deadly.

 

[Ptah]

Welcome Sorel,

A member Flynn has put together a very nice fanzine Stellar Reaches with CT information and adventures, side by side with information (IIRC), which might help you make the leap. I'm sure you'll see him around but here's the link:
http://stellarreaches.nwgamers.org/

One difference with respect to most fantasy RPGs, you characters generally want to avoid personal combat, it can be very deadly.

 

[Fritz_Brown]

Oh, and there are no idiotic questions if they concern our venerable game!

Edit: No prob, Ptah - you type as slow as I do, that's all! end edit

 

[Fritz_Brown]

Oh, and there are no idiotic questions if they concern our venerable game!

Edit: No prob, Ptah - you type as slow as I do, that's all! end edit

 

[RandyT0001]

Sorel, be prepared to fill in the "blanks" on most Traveller adventures. Traveller adventures are not as detailed as most AD&D-D20 adventures. Be prepared to have to "run off the cuff", improvise as needed, especially if the PC's start with a ship (scout or free trader). In preperartion for the PC's having a ship create a few passengers before the game that will travel on their ship or be the other passnegers on a ship they may book passage on. (If you want I can email you the .txt file I have created to assist in doing this. I can also send you a "cheat sheet" with the CT skills list and their basic throws and modifiers in .rtf and .wps formats.)

 

[RandyT0001]

Sorel, be prepared to fill in the "blanks" on most Traveller adventures. Traveller adventures are not as detailed as most AD&D-D20 adventures. Be prepared to have to "run off the cuff", improvise as needed, especially if the PC's start with a ship (scout or free trader). In preperartion for the PC's having a ship create a few passengers before the game that will travel on their ship or be the other passnegers on a ship they may book passage on. (If you want I can email you the .txt file I have created to assist in doing this. I can also send you a "cheat sheet" with the CT skills list and their basic throws and modifiers in .rtf and .wps formats.)

 

[boomslang]

Originally posted by Sorel:
It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

Welcome to our game!

Two quick recommendations:

1. For adventures, anything and everything written by the Keith brothers (William & the late J. Andrew). See The J. Andrew Keith Memorial Site for a good long list... under "Traveller RPG Material"...

2. For adventurers, I recommend picking up a few copies of Classic Traveller: The Basic Books right here from RPGRealms. At $12 a pop, I try to keep a few around to hand out to would-be players, so they can familiarize themselves with the basic game. The books aren't cheap, but I consider them an investment in my player group; I'm trying to sow the seeds of the refereeing bug so I can get some time as a PC myself, plus, it's always nice when players show up to the first session with at least some grasp of the rules & setting...

And again welcome aboard... you're one of us, now...

 

[boomslang]

Originally posted by Sorel:
It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

Welcome to our game!

Two quick recommendations:

1. For adventures, anything and everything written by the Keith brothers (William & the late J. Andrew). See The J. Andrew Keith Memorial Site for a good long list... under "Traveller RPG Material"...

2. For adventurers, I recommend picking up a few copies of Classic Traveller: The Basic Books right here from RPGRealms. At $12 a pop, I try to keep a few around to hand out to would-be players, so they can familiarize themselves with the basic game. The books aren't cheap, but I consider them an investment in my player group; I'm trying to sow the seeds of the refereeing bug so I can get some time as a PC myself, plus, it's always nice when players show up to the first session with at least some grasp of the rules & setting...

And again welcome aboard... you're one of us, now...

 

[parmasson]

Well not only have you chosen an excellent game but you have chosen the morally superior edition as well. Congratulations and welcome.

Some of my colleges may disagree with me here but as a long time (not as long as some but enough to know better) Traveller ref the dynamics of game play are radically different from D&D. All of this is my personal opinion and not necessarily based on objective reality. Take with a grain of salt, use as directed, void where prohibited, see store for details. Yadd yadda yadda…

1. No “experience points” there is an experience system but it is mostly referee’s discretion.
What this means is rethinking how you plan to reward players. Money, ships, slave girls (a personal favorite), guns, more guns, land.

1A no official “alignment” means that the slippery slope into uber-violence can occur even with good players. Thank about how to deal with that.

2. Players are little tiny fish in a HUGE Imperial ocean.
Watch out for SOC 12+, plan how you are going to deal with it. Rule by fiat if you need to.
IMHO moving players up the social ladder can be a method of reward.
The OTU Imperium is HUGE!

3. Bang, you’re dead. Get hit by a shotgun (4D) and you are going to feel it.
Combat hurts. Hardcore D&D players may have trouble with this at first.

4. Think less cyberpunk and more age of sail (no FTL radio in the OTU) Arggggggh pirates!

5. Get and watch the only season (sigh) of Firefly.

6. The LBBs do have flaws. Make Your Traveller Universe work for you by changing stuff.

7. If you ever get stuck this is a fantastic resource for anything you might need to know.

8. My players found a one page game mechanics sheet typed up by me to be useful so they knew what to and roll when.

 

[parmasson]

Well not only have you chosen an excellent game but you have chosen the morally superior edition as well. Congratulations and welcome.

Some of my colleges may disagree with me here but as a long time (not as long as some but enough to know better) Traveller ref the dynamics of game play are radically different from D&D. All of this is my personal opinion and not necessarily based on objective reality. Take with a grain of salt, use as directed, void where prohibited, see store for details. Yadd yadda yadda…

1. No “experience points” there is an experience system but it is mostly referee’s discretion.
What this means is rethinking how you plan to reward players. Money, ships, slave girls (a personal favorite), guns, more guns, land.

1A no official “alignment” means that the slippery slope into uber-violence can occur even with good players. Thank about how to deal with that.

2. Players are little tiny fish in a HUGE Imperial ocean.
Watch out for SOC 12+, plan how you are going to deal with it. Rule by fiat if you need to.
IMHO moving players up the social ladder can be a method of reward.
The OTU Imperium is HUGE!

3. Bang, you’re dead. Get hit by a shotgun (4D) and you are going to feel it.
Combat hurts. Hardcore D&D players may have trouble with this at first.

4. Think less cyberpunk and more age of sail (no FTL radio in the OTU) Arggggggh pirates!

5. Get and watch the only season (sigh) of Firefly.

6. The LBBs do have flaws. Make Your Traveller Universe work for you by changing stuff.

7. If you ever get stuck this is a fantastic resource for anything you might need to know.

8. My players found a one page game mechanics sheet typed up by me to be useful so they knew what to and roll when.

 

[Berg]

Originally posted by Randy Tyler:
In preperartion for the PC's having a ship create a few passengers before the game that will travel on their ship or be the other passnegers on a ship they may book passage on. (If you want I can email you the .txt file I have created to assist in doing this. I can also send you a "cheat sheet" with the CT skills list and their basic throws and modifiers in .rtf and .wps formats.)

These seems widely useful... Post if possible or links perhaps

 

[Berg]

Originally posted by Randy Tyler:
In preperartion for the PC's having a ship create a few passengers before the game that will travel on their ship or be the other passnegers on a ship they may book passage on. (If you want I can email you the .txt file I have created to assist in doing this. I can also send you a "cheat sheet" with the CT skills list and their basic throws and modifiers in .rtf and .wps formats.)

These seems widely useful... Post if possible or links perhaps

 

[mike wightman]

Originally posted by Sorel:
Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now.

I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB).

It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

Welcome aboard Sorel

You won't regret your choice.

I'd recommend getting hold of the Short Adventure reprints from FFE. There are some good scenarios within, I especially like Death Station as a way to introduce new players to Traveller.

 

[mike wightman]

Originally posted by Sorel:
Unbelievably, I've been playing RPGs for 26 years and I have never played or run Traveller. I always wanted to, just never got around to it until now.

I've been lurking on this board and checking a few things out and decided that CT was probably the way to go. So, I went out and ordered the reprint Books 0-8. (I presume these are the LBB).

It seems probably that I'll be refereeing a Classic Traveller game in the near future. For the most part, my group is unfamiliar with the game as well. Hence, I would ask which pre-written adventures you would reccommend OR just some general advice, I would appreciate it.

I'm still waiting for the book to ship here, so if this inquiry seems idiotic, please forgive me, I'm just really looking forward to getting into Traveller and away from the D20 monsters.

Welcome aboard Sorel

You won't regret your choice.

I'd recommend getting hold of the Short Adventure reprints from FFE. There are some good scenarios within, I especially like Death Station as a way to introduce new players to Traveller.