T5 MAJOR RACES: ALIENS 1 - 8

[rancke]

The first treatment of the subject should, IMO, be Peoples of Charted Space. This book would feature 8-page[*] writeups of the Big Eight (Aslans, Centaurs, Hivers, Imperials, Solomani, Vargr, Vilani, and Zhodani) and the Ubiquitous Two (Bwaps and Droyne). 4-page, 2-page, and 1-page [**] writeups of a selection of interesting races and cultures (e.g. Darrians, Imperial Aslan, Sword Worlders, Syleans, Vegans, Vlazdumecta), and a list of all officially accepted minor races, human and non-human (NOT an exhaustive list; just the ones that have been written up so far that are accepted (which is a good opportunity to decanonize a few squibs)). Also articles about the Major Race-Minor Race controversy and about human races.

[*] Eight pages because that makes it easy to turn them into handouts.
[**] More potential handouts.​

Hans

 

[robject]

When MgT's Aslans were published, a number of discrepancies with previously published material were pointed out to Mongoose, and Matt made a statement to the effect that they were all deliberate changes and Marc Miller had approved them all, so there!

Interesting. Is that post up on Mongoose website's forums?

 

[rancke]

Interesting. Is that post up on Mongoose website's forums?

No, it was on the CotI MgT board. It was a rather long thread, IIRC, and I got involved fairly late. I should be able to track it down if it is important to you, but I'd rather not bother, as I think it will take a deal of digging.


Hans

 

[JFGarber]

The first treatment of the subject should, IMO, be Peoples of Charted Space. This book would feature 8-page[*] writeups of the Big Eight (Aslans, Centaurs, Hivers, Imperials, Solomani, Vargr, Vilani, and Zhodani) and the Ubiquitous Two (Bwaps and Droyne). 4-page, 2-page, and 1-page [**] writeups of a selection of interesting races and cultures (e.g. Darrians, Imperial Aslan, Sword Worlders, Syleans, Vegans, Vlazdumecta), and a list of all officially accepted minor races, human and non-human (NOT an exhaustive list; just the ones that have been written up so far that are accepted (which is a good opportunity to decanonize a few squibs)). Also articles about the Major Race-Minor Race controversy and about human races.

Concur. And I'd like to add a request for at least one illustration of each. My library is limited, and I find myself struggling at times to describe what's walking/crawling/rolling or otherwise perambulating down the Highport concourse.

 

[robject]

No, it was on the CotI MgT board. It was a rather long thread, IIRC, and I got involved fairly late. I should be able to track it down if it is important to you, but I'd rather not bother, as I think it will take a deal of digging.

Some digging, yes.

http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showpost.php?p=320602&postcount=27

Of course you do [decide what to use, change, and ignore] - but remember these are Marc's decisions too. Mongoose proposes, Marc disposes.

And he really _is_ going through our OTU material with a fine toothcomb. Plenty of changes were made to our original Aslan manuscript - what is left is what Marc wants in.

It's been a long time, so I've forgotten most of this. Luckily I have email archives.

Indeed, the material was vetted by Marc, and fixes were generated and accepted for the book -- including some back-and-forth on psionics -- but the result isn't the same as if Marc, GDW, or DGP had written it. This is the way it has always been, and we'll always have to deal with it as best as we can. Discussion that clarifies the issues helps.

 

[maksimsmelchak]

Is there a source of Traveller 5 standard templates for all of the major races / sophonts for Traveller?

 

[robject]

Is there a source of Traveller 5 standard templates for all of the major races / sophonts for Traveller?

There are drafts for all of the major races. I can link to them from my "helpful stuff" post, with the understanding that they are subject to approval and change.

I don't have access to them today, but if I remember, I can upload them tonight.

 

[whulorigan]

There are drafts for all of the major races. I can link to them from my "helpful stuff" post, with the understanding that they are subject to approval and change.

I don't have access to them today, but if I remember, I can upload them tonight.

I'd be interested in seeing those as well.

 

[robject]

Yup, they're there - go check out my Helpful T5 Stuff page (stickied).

And then, if you have any suggestions for me to think about, let me know.

 

[Vladika]

Please, no "Illegal Sophonts"

 

[Spartan159]

The ones jumping the border? <Grin duck and run>

 

[Spaceresearcher]

New Alien books. The Hybrid races

Should there be a rules set for all possible Alien hybrids of the core races?

Which ones would seriously be outcasts and which ones would be accepted by the majority of other interstellar races.

How will Psionic races find hybrid psionic race capable individuals?

Some very interesting gaming ideas for the new T5 era I would think.

 

[rancke]

Should there be a rules set for all possible Alien hybrids of the core races?

Easily enough done, anyway. There are no possible Alien hybrids of the core races¹. Or any other races for that matter.

¹ Assuming Humaniti is counted as one race.​

Hans

 

[Spaceresearcher]

Don't believe all Travellers would agree with you on that one Rancke, bit of a cop out wouldn't you say?

 

[Spaceresearcher]

T5 core rules bring forth "Clones". So genetics is rather advanced.

Why couldn't a group of research scientists create hybrids from multiple species DNA?

Frankly I would say no reason at all and who knows, a great adventure unlocking more of the ancients secrets could be found in the Droyne DNA from various locations etc.......

 

[whulorigan]

Easily enough done, anyway. There are no possible Alien hybrids of the core races¹. Or any other races for that matter.

¹ Assuming Humaniti is counted as one race.​

Hans

Don't believe all Travellers would agree with you on that one Rancke, bit of a cop out wouldn't you say?

If it is not possible to viably interbreed various real-world species on Earth (except for those that are very closely related genetically - and then usually resulting in sterility), it will not be possible to viably interbreed species whose origins are from two entirely different and biologically/genetically independent worlds, which likely do not even have the same genetic structure, let alone the same number of chromosomal pairs.

 

[whulorigan]

Why couldn't a group of research scientists create hybrids from multiple species DNA?

Frankly I would say no reason at all ....

Even if they could, I think the average citizen of any of the various polities (Imperial or otherwise) would view such a hybrid with horror.

The traditional/conservative Vilani especially.

 

[Spaceresearcher]

Wow so 'The Island Of Dr Moreau' syndrome for some it would seem.

Personally I was thinking more along the lines of humans wanting to have wings etc. Bring on the Droyne/Human hybrids.

The Ancients created most of the races and most of those races can live in environments similar to Earth environments. On this fact alone, there is room for compatibility.

 

[rancke]

Don't believe all Travellers would agree with you on that one Rancke, bit of a cop out wouldn't you say?

For Human-Vargr hybrids, get back to me when someone successfully crosses a dog and a chimpanzee. For other alien hybrids, get back to me when someone crosses a giraffe and a geranium.


Hans

 

[whulorigan]

. . . and most of those races can live in environments similar to Earth environments. On this fact alone, there is room for compatibility.

No. Compatibility is based on genetic structure, not environment.