A "living" setting ...

[daryen]

I have a "support" question ...

One of the things I liked about the old CT and JTAS in the "good ole days" was the TNS entries. They added an element to the background that gave it some "life" and helped make it feel far less static and morbund.

So, does Mongoose have any plans to do something similar?

On a similar line, I find the choice of 1105 as the initial setting very peculiar. As any "canonista" knows, that is on the very eve of the Fifth Frontier War. The 5FW was interesting and was allowed to happen over time and, when finally done, actually changed things on the "map". (The big thing was the Border Worlds.) However, by putting the setting at 1105 it allows the potential of a certain amount of "rewind and redo".

So, with the setting, is it intended to be a pure "snapshot in time" and forever frozen at 1105? Or the clock move forward (however slowly) in the setting? If it does move forward, is that history locked in stone (e.g. 5FW in 1107-1110; Assassination in 1116) or is that history more maliable?

Thanks for advance for any insights.

 

[Allensh]

I am sincerely hoping its the "snapshot in time" approach. I hate metaplots in RPGs, and I don't think the TNS news reports did Traveller any favors. They were fun to read, yes, but a lot of people seemed to treat them as "this must happen". I would prefer, this time, for the plot to be left in the hands of the GM. It's fairly easy to get those TNS reports anyway.

Allen

 

[zozotroll]

I was prety excited at 1105, as that leaves a chance for a 5FW supplement sometime soon. I certainly hope so, and dont care how it compares to other older versions. I just hope that it is published before my current game gets that far in time.

Hopefully Martin is already writing it.........

 

[simonh]

So, with the setting, is it intended to be a pure "snapshot in time" and forever frozen at 1105? Or the clock move forward (however slowly) in the setting? If it does move forward, is that history locked in stone (e.g. 5FW in 1107-1110; Assassination in 1116) or is that history more maliable?

It's totally locked in stone. The Mongoose Police will be visiting your house and sitting in on your game sessions to monitor them to ensure all campaign events proceed strictly according to Canon. In cases of unauthorized game sessions, secret moles have been infiltrated into gaming groups across the world. They will secretly record illicit game sessions for use in evidence at the tribunals.

Big Mongoose is Watching YOU!

Simon Hibbs

 

[Border Reiver]

I liked the metaplot elements of the OTU even when they took turns I didn't care for.

 

[EDG]

I am sincerely hoping its the "snapshot in time" approach. I hate metaplots in RPGs, and I don't think the TNS news reports did Traveller any favors. They were fun to read, yes, but a lot of people seemed to treat them as "this must happen". I would prefer, this time, for the plot to be left in the hands of the GM. It's fairly easy to get those TNS reports anyway.

Allen

I rather liked the TNS news reports that SJG did - for one thing it's advanced the GT timeline quite nicely (what with the threat of a Solomani Civil War and all that - or did that powderkeg actually explode? It's been a while since I read them).

But still, if you don't like the metaplot elements, just ignore them. I think they're useful for providing a bit of inspiration though if a GM is wondering what to do for a campaign.


I guess one problem with the new Spinward Marches book is that it's set in 1105, and I guess we know what's going to happen for the next five years in gametime at least. But it'd be interesting to do TNS type reports on the status of the upcoming war "as it happens".

 

[-Daniel-]

I do not mind (and even like at times) the whole advanced the timeline thing. I mean it can have a great impact on the game. But I dislike it when, in an effort to keep creating new product they take a time line "quickly" along. Then the worst part is they create product that invalidates older product. I hate having a book that is now useless because they company has raised the power level in new "background" timeline products.

Daniel

 

[Klaus Kipling]

I'll probably set any of my games in 1086, just after 4FW. There's no events recorded in JTAS AFAIK between then and when TNS kicks off (1101, 1103?), and if there are a few mentions, it's just foreshadowing things to come.

A nice blank slate, with a war just finished, so lots of room for veteran types, and can use the printed material as is, rather than having a war just about to happen that would change things about.

In fact, the more I think about it, setting things 20 years 'previously' sounds more interesting than a rehash of 1105 onwards. The only thing I'd have to change is the age of Norris.

That would be quite an interesting time, with the political shake-ups from the False War, and continued tensions and resentments. Has a more of a 'Firefly' flavour than the more vanilla 1105 era.

Anyway, just my two'penneth.

 

[AKAramis]

I'll probably set any of my games in 1086, just after 4FW. There's no events recorded in JTAS AFAIK between then and when TNS kicks off (1101, 1103?), and if there are a few mentions, it's just foreshadowing things to come.

A nice blank slate, with a war just finished, so lots of room for veteran types, and can use the printed material as is, rather than having a war just about to happen that would change things about.

In fact, the more I think about it, setting things 20 years 'previously' sounds more interesting than a rehash of 1105 onwards. The only thing I'd have to change is the age of Norris.

That would be quite an interesting time, with the political shake-ups from the False War, and continued tensions and resentments. Has a more of a 'Firefly' flavour than the more vanilla 1105 era.

Anyway, just my two'penneth.

Norris isn't even an issue in the 1080's. He was the spare... His older brother is learning how to take over, and their Dad is the Duke of Regina.

 

[Klaus Kipling]

Norris isn't even an issue in the 1080's. He was the spare... His older brother is learning how to take over, and their Dad is the Duke of Regina.

Well that makes it even more interesting - he'd probably be a naval officer trying to make a name for himself, or a wastrel who's brought back on the rails.

How does his brother and father die?

 

[rgd]

Consider what Mongoose could do with the interweb and making their own TNS entries - either 1105- or 1086-based... wouldn't have to wait months to get TNS updates like the old days.

But then again, waiting weeks/months for updates would be more "realistic" to the Traveller OTU setting...

 

[AKAramis]

Norris isn't even an issue in the 1080's. He was the spare... His older brother is learning how to take over, and their Dad is the Duke of Regina.

Well that makes it even more interesting - he'd probably be a naval officer trying to make a name for himself, or a wastrel who's brought back on the rails.

How does his brother and father die?

Shuttle Crashes. I need to check the article for details.

But I believe he's not yet in service in the 4FW...

 

[serene_muse]

One of the things I liked about the old CT and JTAS in the "good ole days" was the TNS entries. They added an element to the background that gave it some "life" and helped make it feel far less static and morbund.

So, does Mongoose have any plans to do something similar?

On a similar line, I find the choice of 1105 as the initial setting very peculiar. As any "canonista" knows, that is on the very eve of the Fifth Frontier War. The 5FW was interesting and was allowed to happen over time and, when finally done, actually changed things on the "map".

Offhand I'd prefer that Mongoose put more effort on developing the line (esp. rules) and including more than just the OTU as settings than rehashing or redoing existing OTU canon that Canonistas already have and would likely only complain about anyway.

As for 1105, I think it's a good choice, so far. Have a precarious setup with lots of potential, but leave it open for newbies or those who don't hew to Canon to do with what that will. Meanwhile the Canonistas already have the existing events to play out as they already have.

Of course watch Mongoose start autogenerating or regurgitating TNS entries and moving the timeline forward (again) now. :shock: :twisted:

 

[Allensh]

I'd bet there's a lot of stuff that went on during the 5FW that never got recorded...probably plenty of room for original stuff to be thrown in.

I would actually like to see Mongoose tackle Mileau 0 someday...lots of potential there that got wasted by poor execution.

Allen