The Outworld Coalition Corner

[shield]

Re Zho Traders etc.

Yeah, why not Zho free traders, FASA did a zho version of the old A2 Far trader, and Foreven was originally explored / assimulated by zho merchant concerns (see traveller chronicle). Don't think anything in the rules precludes privately owned ships in zho space.

However I think they would probably be state licenced (with more controls than Imperial space) and subject to regular mental health checks (especially if they are on the zho border, dealing with dis-honest aliens).

The ships can even be armed if they work the border area and there is a problem with piracy (even more mental health checks though).

Cheers
Richard

 

[Liam Devlin]

Good questions Vargas!
Hmmm. Thinkin cap on...

The Zhodani of the Ct era were obvious Soviet Union clones versus the Imperium, but this modified with time somewhat. In THAT era, (pre 5th Frontier war), I'd have answered "State owned".
Now, with the tendencies of control, harmony, etc...as well as democracy of the Psionic vs Non psionic...I'd answer that as "State Overseen". Meaning that Proles of low Psi but intelligence and ability, Intendants, etc would be involved as crews of these.
The dangers of disharmony amongst Non psionic Zho [populations] would have the control of who they allowed to Crew their merchant shipping. IMTU, I would limit to dissuade/re-educate the non psi from becoming restless and wishing to travel much.
IIRC, somewheres in the CT/ MT era, I read that the majority of Zho goods is State subsidized. I dinnae recall if they have a Zho version of "Tukera Lines"..But ZHo "Free" Trader ships do exist...They might just be "free" to Trade with anyone but the Imperium! And some of these are definite espionage ships...so beware!

 

[shield]

Re Zho Traders Part 2

Why should a noble command a ship, it might be true in the zho navy (at least for the big ships), but not merchant vessels. Now nobles and attendents may run shipping corporations, especially those with heavy government contacts / licences.

With the consulate being a open honest society, they will pick an honest competent captain for ships for merchant line vessels, free traders pick their own captains.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Liam Devlin]

Agreed on both above points on Zho Traders. Thanks Richard-happy heretical New Year!

 

[sinbadsam]

You might want to check out the articles in the G:Trav Races book that has the Zhodani, it details the Thought Police alot further than prevous publications.

There is a sub group of the Thought Police that has many interesting qualities.

I call them the "Choir Boys" after a Waumbough(sp) book with the Same Title "The Choir Boys" about a LA police squad, the book was more entertaining than the movie.

 

[plop101]

On the Zhodani Merchant thing...

I'm not certain this means anything, but I was playing with an MT character generator that I downloaded for a building project of mine. This is one of the things I popped up with the computer:

Name: Zhodani Merchant Qenzh Chtilnats Zhodani Prole female
Homeworld: Clan / Spinward Marches
667996 age: 46 apparent age: 46
University grad
Career: Merchant Megacorp Deck office
Rank: O5 Captain Pension: 6000
Skills:
(Psi - 5), Grav Vehicle - 0, Computer - 1, Broker - 2,
Trader - 3, Laser Weap - 1, Vacc Suit - 2, Streetwise - 0,
Pilot - 1, Carousing - 1, Brawling - 1, Steward - 1,
Legal - 1, Admin - 1, Leadership - 1, Gambling - 1,
Commo - 1,
Property: ZM Trader (30 year loan), Laser Pistol Credits: 12500

Everything except the name is from the generator. The name I got from the Zhodani article in Jtas. Don't know what a ZM trader is, though I suspect its probably a mirror image of a Type M sub-merchant.