Andromeda Traveller

[RevReese]

Hey there! I know this has probably been done to death at some point, but I wondered what your thoughts on playing an Andromeda themed game using traveller were (assuming such a thing is possible?). I have searched all over and found a few references here and there to others who tried to run an Andromeda campaign but then the idea died though neglect. I found nothing here, and all sites other than one (http://www.saveandromeda.com/) have long since expired or been archived at the above site.

Has anyone done this and how did it turn out for you? obviously some heavy tweaking would need to be done, and known andromeda systems run though the traveller system, but I think it would be interesting to try!.

I welcome your words!

 

[Dave Chase]

High Tech of at least TL 15+
Could place the freeze taking place just before the long night and have them wake up during it some time

The rest would be pretty easy.

Or you could have the Andromeda be an NPC ship and the players are trying to

capture it
help it
wonder/scout out what it is


Dave Chase

 

[Sangrolu]

This is something I bounced around for a while.

My final conclusion: the setting and setup is very Traveller.

But the action is very HERO/Feng Shui/M&M. The main combats are hand to hand fisticuffs between superbeings.

 

[lammomedes]

Oh there is a lot of shooting too, they use their forcelances a lot (I think that is what they were called.) I admit it is very space opera-y, but it is one of my guilty pleasures. I own most of the series on DVD (including in the beginning when they were released as whole seasons at once) and along with Farscape they act as very opposite ends of the sci-fi visual spectrum. I like the grand idea of the players actually trying to build something back in a universe that is at war, but it would need the right players to buy into the concept. While the captain, Dillon Hunt is a genetically engineered near super human, the players are the other cast, especially their little salvage ship. Very Travelleresque and could be done as if they find the ship at the edge of a blackhole, interact with the AI aboard, but then have to figure out what they are going to do with a ship that has a mission and a mind of its own.

 

[RevReese]

Great! It seems to be quite overlooked considering the huge fan base, there is very little (other than the one site) to be found. This is bad because you would have to be fairly generic as the information available on systems and worlds is sparse, but good as in you can create the universe to fit in!.
Do you think it would be better to start with a clean slate, borrowing from SM here and there, or use SM but alter the geopolitical landscape a lot?

I'm thinking of starting clean and adding worlds, systems and races as much as possible from the Andromeda universe, and filling in the gaps using the traveller rules for other planets, systems and creatures (hard science a must i think!) I need some more experience with the system anyway and I love creating maps and charts!.

How would I start this though? some threads here have mentioned starting small with a planet or station and slowly expanding outwards to keep things simple.

Obviously, there is huge potential for adding new and unexplored things into the universe, and I have had lots of inspiration from other threads on here, especially one about a Star Control 2 game (which is very similar to Andromeda anyway).

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36572&highlight=star+control

I am thinking something probably unoriginal like the characters need to free themselves from a slave planet before anything else and somehow coming across the Andromeda (possibly instead of the Eureka Maru crew). Or, they are resident on a planet recently visited by Hunt and his crew and they take part in the events that follow. (Either way, they won't be playing as the crew as we know them - too much fighting over who gets to be who! ;-).

The translation of characters and races may be problematic though as I am barely fluent with the rules already let alone complicating things further! but I would like to try nevertheless.

And no, the PC's will certainly not be getting their hands on the Andromeda Ascendant! (that's mine!) .

I have seen a lot of talk of Babylon 5 being used in Traveller games, has anyone done that successfully? and how did you go about tweaking everything to that 'universe'? as far as I can find, there is nothing remotely resembling a 'source' book for a game or rpg of any kind anywhere on the 'net for Andromeda.

I will try and work out some basic translations of things like the ubiquitous 'force lances', ships and weaponry, and skills sets for various races, though I feel this may be a tall order for someone with next to no experience! I if get any luck, I will post them here so everyone who may be interested can see them.

I am still very interested in hearing how you would play this, even if it's a different setting, all tips are much appreciated!


EDIT: Found some GURPS related stuff here:http://www.laurabertram.net/eldoradodrift/g_main.html. Not loads but a good start as any, just needs to be converted to Traveller mechanics (he says without a clue how!).

 

[RevReese]

So, has anyone done anything like this i.e. without any 'source' books to copy from? I am working on some very rough ideas but I am not sure how to copy the mechanics from Traveller. I know a lot of you design your own ships which would come in handy, do you use "High Guard"? Would I need it to design ships?.
Also, can I 'create' weapons? at least using similar characteristics to pre-existing ones?.

Character creation should be more or less standard but I also need more background information on races and events, so if anyone knows anywhere I can find more Andromeda related information, I would be very grateful as I cannot find anything else other than previously stated.

Here is the information from:
http://www.laurabertram.net/eldoradodrift/g_main.html:

GURPS Andromeda

Psionics - There are no psionics in the Andromeda Universe.

Dataports - Dataports, as in GURPS Cyberpunk, are available.

Guns - Most personal weapons are Gauss Guns, using smart bullets, which can be disrupted by ECM.

Communications - There are no Faster-than-light communications available. To communicate between star systems, record a message and send it via courier (using slipstream travel).

Nova Bombs - Nova Bombs can be used to destroy a sun. Fortunately they are very rare. (They should only be used as a plot device).

Flash - Flash addiction is a -15 disadvantage. It is moderately expensive, illegal, and totally adictive. It gives a +2 to Dex and Dex-related rolls, including piloting, while under the influence, but also makes the user irritable and overconfident.

Sublight Starship Travel - Sublight travel makes use of antimatter reaction drives. Speeds are measured in psl (percent of the speed of light). Capital ships can typically attain 40-50 psl; Fighters can attain 50-60 psl; and missiles upwards of 90 psl. Pilot (Sublight) defaults to Pilot (Slipstream)-4.

FTL Starship Travel - Faster-Than-Light travel is via slipstream, which requires a slipstream drive. Slipstream is akin to hyperspace, but you cannot always jump from point A to point B; you may need to stop at points C and D in between. An organic navigator is required to pilot in slipstream - AI's and autopilots cannot navigate the slipstream. Slipstream speed varies slightly from ship to ship, but more significantly from pilot to pilot - an expert pilot can travel faster than a novice one. Well-travelled slipstream routes are also faster and easier than less-travelled routes. Pilot (Slipstream) defaults to Pilot (Sublight)-4.

Races

AI Avatar
+5 Absolute Timing
+60 Eidetic Memory
+5 Lightning Calculator
-5 Social Stigma (-1)
+65 Total

AI Avatars vary greatly. Most will have a wide variety of knowledge skills. It is recommended that any High Guard Starship AIs be played as NPCs.


Chichin
-5 Social Stigma (reputed canibalism, -1)
-5 Total


Magog
+10 Bast Str: 11
+15 Claws/Teeth (+2 Dmg)
+15 Paralytic Venom Spray in face or inject; victims rolls vs. HT-3 or paralyzed d6 hours; critical failure = paralyzed 24 hours
+4 Acute Taste/Smell (+2)
-15 Social Stigma (-3)
-5 Enemy (bounty hunters)
+24 Total

PC Magog need a reason to be with, and accepted by, non-Magog. The most common reason would be to be a Wayist.
If a victim is paralyzed by the Magog's venom (or otherwise helpless or willing), a Magog can implant "eggs" in them. This results in the incapaciation and eventual death of the victim.
Magog attacking in large groups will go berzerk.


Nietzschean
+20 Base Str 12
+10 Base Int 11
+20 Base HT 12
-5 No stat may be reduced below 10
+40 Bone Spurs (+2 Dmg, swing/impale)
+10 Immunity to disease (Requires HT 12)
+5 Alertness (+1)
+5 Rapid Healing
-10 Social Stigma (-2)
-5 Sees others as inherently inferior
-5 Driving goal: be husband/father (or wife/mother)
-15 Fanaticism: own Pride
+70 Total

Recommended Advantages/Disadvantages
+15 Combat Reflexes
var. Patron (own Pride)
-10 Bully
-10 Overconfident
var. Dependents: children/family
-5 Outcast
var. Enemy: Rival Pride

This version of the Nietzschean is somewhat scaled-down, to make them accessible as Player Characters.


Nightsiders
+25 Dark Vision
-5 Social Stigma (-1)
-5 Poor Eyesight (-4) in sunlight
+15 Total

Recommended Disadvantage
-15 Greed


Perseid
+20 Base Int:12
+20 Total


Than
A Than will belong to one of the following castes, based on their colour: Amber - worker, Emerald - warrior, Ruby - engineer, Sapphire - scientist, Diamond - ruler. Most PC Than should be Emerald or Ruby, with a few Sapphire. Amber and Diamond Than are not well-suited for Player Characters.

Amber Than
-20 Base Int 8
+10 Base Str 11
+10 Patron/Friends (Hive)
+10 Carapace (armour) +2 DR
-10 Duty: Work for Hive (15-, not dangerous)
+0 Total

Emerald Than
+10 Base Str 11
+20 Base Dex 12
+10 Patron/Friends (Hive)
+10 Carapace (armour) +2 DR
-5 Duty: Protect Hive (9-)
+45 Total

Ruby Than
+10 Base Dex 11
+20 Base Int 12
+10 Patron/Friends (Hive)
+10 Carapace (armour) +2 DR
-0 Duty: Serve Hive (6-, not dangerous)
+50 Total

Sapphire Than
+30 Base Int 13
+10 Patron/Friends (Hive)
+10 Carapace (armour) +2 DR
-0 Duty: Serve Hive (6-, not dangerous)
+50 Total

Diamond Than
+10 Base Int 11
+10 Charisma +2
+10 Patron/Friends (Hive)
+10 Carapace (armour) +2 DR
-10 Duty: Rule Hive (15-, not dangerous)
+30 Total


Wayist
"Wayist" is not actually a race, but a character creation package - it can be taken in conjunction with any other race, or on its own (for a human).
+10 Reputation (+2)
+10 Friends (other Wayists)
-10 Moral Code
-15 Pacifism (self-defense)
-5 Total

"Friends" is somewhere between "Contacts" and "Patron".

feedback@laurabertram.net (tried emailing this for permission but currently not receiving mail).

This is obviously GURPS so is there a way to convert these? or would I only be able to use GURPS Traveller for this?. This is all I can find at the moment, if anyone has any ideas what to do with it, I would be very grateful!

Thanks again for your time!