Psion

[saundby]

I'm gonna check out the SRD when/if it's available then decide. Since I'm planning a Lensman campaign (probably for 2010 since we're just starting B5), I might see how Psion could work for helping me with Lensmen that don't ride roughshod over everyone else in the game (even though that's what Lensmen do in the books, pretty much.)

Lensmen would start in some other career, then have to qualify to go Psion for the last term to become full Lensmen, or something like that.

 

[fiat_knox]

IIRC, Lensmen had a very strict moral code - and they always repaid their debts, even to spiders and to worms. If they had a flaw, it would be that they would be incapable of overlooking any kind of crime - even overdue library books or spitting on the pavement would incur some form of Lensy wrath.

In truth, I doubt many Travellers would be able to uphold that degree of morality as Lensmen.

 

[saundby]

It wasn't so much a moral code as an inbuilt incorruptibility. They were capable of prioritizing and focusing, as well as working with those less than perfect, or even posing as criminals and committing criminals acts if it suited their purposes. E.g., Virgil Samms revolutionized the collection of plants for producing the illegal drug thionite during his time posing as a criminal on one case.

They overlooked crimes frequently, knowing they couldn't stop all crime, instead focusing on what would be a large scale social threat.

What I'll be looking at is the combination of abilities, trying to avoid OD&D's psionic warrior problem. I'll be taking advantage of the fact that Lenses behaved very differently for different Lensmen. Also, not all Lensmen are as skilled, strong, and lucky as Kimball Kinnison.

 

[mbrinkhues]

And the problem is?

Once more Mislabeling a not so great "Universal" RPG and it's supplements as "Traveller" to cash in on a big name. The kind of stuff shown on P90 has nothing to do with Traveller (that to me is the Universe not the rules) nor a place in it.

 

[MongooseFordy]

Once more Mislabeling a not so great "Universal" RPG and it's supplements as "Traveller" to cash in on a big name. The kind of stuff shown on P90 has nothing to do with Traveller (that to me is the Universe not the rules) nor a place in it.

Mmm, I'm starting to think our version of Traveller might not be for you

 

[mbrinkhues]

Mmm, I'm starting to think our version of Traveller might not be for you

It isn't. I do (ab)use the "Fernabsatzgesetz" to look into the books but so far they have been "Return to Sender" for me.

 

[MongooseFordy]

I do (ab)use the "Fernabsatzgesetz"

I think that's an arrestable offence in Germany

 

[mbrinkhues]

I think that's an arrestable offence in Germany

Nope. I do have the intention to buy IF the book delivers what's offered. Besides the police wagon would be to small for me anyway.

 

[MongooseFordy]

Nope. I do have the intention to buy IF the book delivers what's offered.

I may have been kidding

 

[mbrinkhues]

Nope. I do have the intention to buy IF the book delivers what's offered.

I may have been kidding

This "kidding" has to do with the "humor" thingy, doesn't it? I am a Westfalian and we are well known to have no understanding for that. Instead of humor we got broad feet so we don't sink when walking over the bogs and fens along the Dutch border

 

[fiat_knox]

Ironically, the closest thing to an inherently incorruptible police force in the Traveller universe is ... the Zhodani.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Did anybody else notice Mongoose pushed back the release date for Psion to May 2009?

 

[saundby]

Ironically, the closest thing to an inherently incorruptible police force in the Traveller universe is ... the Zhodani.

Yes, it is creepy, isn't it? Doc Smith works hard to show that those who get the Lens don't abuse it. Flawless Arisian judgement and all.

There's a lot of stuff in First Lensman I wouldn't buy from a Lensman in my campaign, I think. A Lens may be able to show someone that a Lensman is strictly honest, but none of my players wear one...

 

[fiat_knox]

And that's Zhodani society. A society where everyone is encouraged to be frank and brutally honest with one another, proactively in some cases, by an utterly incorruptible and highly distinct force of agents who can detect when a person is lying, and sometimes why they are lying.

A society for an utterly predictable machine universe which never gets sand in the gears.

What's the Zhodani for "Welcome to the Consulate" again?

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Actually, now I think about it, the Zhodani can be quite chilling, can't they?

 

[mbrinkhues]

From the description the Zhos combine the worst elements of 1968s Hippies, 1933s Germany, the DDR and Orwells 1984. Truely a beautiful place to live in if you are a well behaved, well adapted cock in the maschine.

The only question left: Does the "Thought Police" share the preference for oiled leather raincoats?

 

[rancke]

From the description the Zhos combine the worst elements of 1968s Hippies, 1933s Germany, the DDR and Orwells 1984. Truely a beautiful place to live in if you are a well behaved, well adapted cock in the maschine.

I sincerely hope you mean 'cog in the machine'. The other would be extremely painful and not at all conducive to calm and peaceful behavior.


Hans

 

[MongooseMatt]

Did anybody else notice Mongoose pushed back the release date for Psion to May 2009?

It will be with distributors by the end of April - we just cannot guarantee all stores will have it until the first week of May. Same applies one month on to Agent.

 

[Spinward Scout]

It will be with distributors by the end of April - we just cannot guarantee all stores will have it until the first week of May. Same applies one month on to Agent.

Cool. Just looking forward to getting it, that's all.

 

[fiat_knox]

As do I.

Hopefully without putting my cog into any machine in the process ...

(I might just land Fighting Ships, too, when I'm there).

 

[fiat_knox]

Gods, I am desperate to get my hands on the book. If anyone happens to get a copy ahead of me, I will expect teasers galore. Don't spoil things entirely. Not yet, anyway.

I mean, Loz' inclusion of time travel and dimension travel opens up all manner of possibilities. Such as, if you don't like the OTU, but you want your characters to be who they are, let them find a portal that leads, not to a pocket universe somewhere, but boom straight into any other TU you like.

Your own TU, the B5 TU, the TU of Hammer's Slammers, Judge Dredd, Aliens, Predators, Starship Troopers, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Primeval, The Wizard of Oz ...

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Well, maybe not one of them. I mean, Starship Troopers is someone else's IP license, isn't it?