Aslan Book
- Thread starter Emryys
- Start date
That strategy for an Aslan book sounds good to me. Though, to me, the big concern is not the tangled mess of canon around the Trojan Reach, but rather the tangled mess of canon around the Aslan. The Aslan are the one alien race that has been handled in the most inconsistent and outright contradictory manner in all of Traveller. They are a complete confused mess.
I don't mind contradictory that works. Like say, they say they are honorable, but backstab at the first opportunity. That is a contradiction that fits. What I hate are contradictions that just don't fit. Like ihatei being ragtag squadrons composed of cast-off people and ships, yet somehow able to outright conquer a hi-pop TL F world. Uh, no. Please, please, please, make the Aslan work.
And please give us more information on the polities of the Trojan Reach. The Glorious Empire, in particular, is a blank slate. It is a break-away Aslan empire that has never really been detailed. Please use this as an opportunity to explore a dissident Aslan culture. Use it to compare and contrast with the dominant Aslan culture so that the dominant culture can be highlighted.
I am just one voice, but these are my requests.
I don't mind contradictory that works. Like say, they say they are honorable, but backstab at the first opportunity. That is a contradiction that fits. What I hate are contradictions that just don't fit. Like ihatei being ragtag squadrons composed of cast-off people and ships, yet somehow able to outright conquer a hi-pop TL F world. Uh, no. Please, please, please, make the Aslan work.
And please give us more information on the polities of the Trojan Reach. The Glorious Empire, in particular, is a blank slate. It is a break-away Aslan empire that has never really been detailed. Please use this as an opportunity to explore a dissident Aslan culture. Use it to compare and contrast with the dominant Aslan culture so that the dominant culture can be highlighted.
I am just one voice, but these are my requests.
Rikki Tikki Traveller
Cosmic Mongoose
I second the recommendation for the Trojan Reach. For all the reasons listed above.
Sounds interesting Gareth!
Sounds interesting Gareth!
kafka
Mongoose
Trojan Reach was nicely written up by a Canadian fanzine called Third Imperium. Let me know if you need copies for research purposes...also SJG may have a manuscript floating around for it.
I think TR is an excellent choice and combining it with a sourcebook on the Aslan is a brillant stroke. However, there would have to some difference between TR Aslan and the Aslan around Kysu. One representing the frontier and the culture associated with the frontier. And, those who are closer to the heart of Aslan culture. If your Aslan will continue the Asian feel...then perhaps looking at different periods of centralized rule and decentralized courts in Japan/China/L5R might be a corrective for all Aslan modules that have gone on before.
I think TR is an excellent choice and combining it with a sourcebook on the Aslan is a brillant stroke. However, there would have to some difference between TR Aslan and the Aslan around Kysu. One representing the frontier and the culture associated with the frontier. And, those who are closer to the heart of Aslan culture. If your Aslan will continue the Asian feel...then perhaps looking at different periods of centralized rule and decentralized courts in Japan/China/L5R might be a corrective for all Aslan modules that have gone on before.
Trojan Reach was initially touched on in CT Adventure 4: Leviathan. Two of the subsectors (B and C) were detailed. One (C) was published in the standard format; the other (B) was just a starmap that the players were supposed to explore.
Mike Jackson took that piece and built out the whole sector in the Third Imperium Fanzine (as mentioned by kafka). This is probably the first presentation of the Floriani (minor human race) and the Glorious Empire (Aslan splinter state). It also includes some nice tidbits that were never really used in any later incarnation.
Somewhere along the line a dot-map of the Trojan Reach was included in the Atlas of the Imperium. While it had a few discrepancies (the major two being a new world and the wrong population for Floria), it was a direct representation of Jackson's Trojan Reach.
DGP used Jackson's version of the Trojan Reach when it published the sector in Traveller's Digest #20, and later in MegaTraveller Journal. The UWPs were expanded to MegaTraveller standards, but the UWPs themselves were not changed. Some names were changed, however, for what appears to have been copyright reasons.
For TNE, the Regency Sourcebook included dual listing for 1117 and 1202 for subsectors C, D, G, H of Trojan Reach. The 1117 data is identical to that published in TD #20 and MTJ. None of the other subsectors are even incidentally mentioned.
Later, SJG planned on doing a Trojan Reach sector book, but it never came to fruition. However, some of that material was later salvaged and used for the Floriani chapter of the GT:Humaniti book. (One of the better chapters, too, I might add.)
Finally, the 1248:Spinward States book included a 1248 version of the Trojan Reach, and it was based on all of the above.* While it was set 143 years in the future, it still included a lot of historical information that could be useful for the 1105 setting.
And that is pretty much the published history of the Trojan Reach.
[*] Yes, I wrote Spinward States. I still think I did a good job with it.
[EDIT: Added in the RSB reference that I inexplicably left out the first time.]
Mike Jackson took that piece and built out the whole sector in the Third Imperium Fanzine (as mentioned by kafka). This is probably the first presentation of the Floriani (minor human race) and the Glorious Empire (Aslan splinter state). It also includes some nice tidbits that were never really used in any later incarnation.
Somewhere along the line a dot-map of the Trojan Reach was included in the Atlas of the Imperium. While it had a few discrepancies (the major two being a new world and the wrong population for Floria), it was a direct representation of Jackson's Trojan Reach.
DGP used Jackson's version of the Trojan Reach when it published the sector in Traveller's Digest #20, and later in MegaTraveller Journal. The UWPs were expanded to MegaTraveller standards, but the UWPs themselves were not changed. Some names were changed, however, for what appears to have been copyright reasons.
For TNE, the Regency Sourcebook included dual listing for 1117 and 1202 for subsectors C, D, G, H of Trojan Reach. The 1117 data is identical to that published in TD #20 and MTJ. None of the other subsectors are even incidentally mentioned.
Later, SJG planned on doing a Trojan Reach sector book, but it never came to fruition. However, some of that material was later salvaged and used for the Floriani chapter of the GT:Humaniti book. (One of the better chapters, too, I might add.)
Finally, the 1248:Spinward States book included a 1248 version of the Trojan Reach, and it was based on all of the above.* While it was set 143 years in the future, it still included a lot of historical information that could be useful for the 1105 setting.
And that is pretty much the published history of the Trojan Reach.
[*] Yes, I wrote Spinward States. I still think I did a good job with it.
[EDIT: Added in the RSB reference that I inexplicably left out the first time.]
GypsyComet
Emperor Mongoose
The Regency Sourcebook (TNE) also covers the area.
qstor
Banded Mongoose
I thought that they might use the Trojan Reach. The UWP's are in the DGP article in Traveller Digest. The issue for me is the stellar data is left out as is the PBG numbers on the charts. I hope those are added in. I was hoping for a sector closer to the heart of the Hierate. But I'm interested in the Trojan Reach too.
Mike
Mike
kafka
Mongoose
qstor said:
I love the idea of the Glorious Empire...and kudos go out to Spinward States, it is a far better book than the Regency Sourcebook.
I would save something closer to the Heart of the Hierate ie Dark Nebula for the Solomani Alien Book...what better way to show the Solomani in a different light than to pair them off with something alien as a way of explaining sociology, psychology, etc.
Gotta say I'm not real thrilled that the first alien book is Aslan - Zhodani or Vargr would have suited me better. But it really doesn't matter who they picked first, someone was going to be disappointed.
That said, I do hope that for now, since Spinward Marches is currently the only MgT 3rd Imperium sourcebook, that they stick with sectors near the SM. If the it has to Aslan first, then Trojan Reach sounds like a great sector to detail.
After Aslan, one of the two following release orders should be used (IMO):
Option 1 - detail the SM area first:
1. Aslan
2. Zhodani (or Vargr)
3. Vargr (or Zhodani)
4. Solomani
5. K'kree (or Hiver)
6. Hiver (or K'Kree)
Option 2 (bounce between Rimward and Spinward areas):
1. Aslan
2. Solomani
3. Zhodani (or Vargr)
4. K'kree (or Hiver)
5. Vargr (or Zhodani)
6. Hiver (or K'Kree)
That said, I do hope that for now, since Spinward Marches is currently the only MgT 3rd Imperium sourcebook, that they stick with sectors near the SM. If the it has to Aslan first, then Trojan Reach sounds like a great sector to detail.
After Aslan, one of the two following release orders should be used (IMO):
Option 1 - detail the SM area first:
1. Aslan
2. Zhodani (or Vargr)
3. Vargr (or Zhodani)
4. Solomani
5. K'kree (or Hiver)
6. Hiver (or K'Kree)
Option 2 (bounce between Rimward and Spinward areas):
1. Aslan
2. Solomani
3. Zhodani (or Vargr)
4. K'kree (or Hiver)
5. Vargr (or Zhodani)
6. Hiver (or K'Kree)
Pairing the Aslan with the Trojan Reach is cool. Also, that means that the Spinward Marches book is actually the first alien book: It details the "Imperial" aliens. Assuming that this pattern is to be maintained, what does that mean for the other aliens?
Vargr has to be Gvurrdon. It is an obvious fit, and Gvurrdon is the one Vargr subsector that has actually been officially detailed before. And it is adjacent to the Spinward Marches. Easy. Probably the best choice for the next book.
Zhodani is more difficult. The sector that is absolutely perfect is Foreven. They own 1/3 of the sector, and there are two other medium size polities to play with. To a large extent, Foreven is the Spinward Marches of the Zhodani. But that can't happen. Is using the old FASA stomping grounds of the Far Frontiers a viable choice?
If the Solomani are to be done, then the logical choice would be the ubiquitous Solomani Rim. But, it is not the only choice. Aldebaran would be a really, really cool choice, too. Or even the Dark Nebula, as mentioned earlier. The Solomani are really presented with too many good choices!
The K'kree are harder. But Gateway would work well. Particularly if the information from Lords of Thunder could be used, reused, or somehow borrowed from.
For the Hivers, the perfect choice is Spica. That gives a roughly 1/3 Hivers, 1/3 Solomani, 1/3 independents split. Lots of potential there. Failing that, Leonidae would be an interesting choice, even though the Hive Federation does not quite extend into it. Spica is probably best.
I'm stumped on the Droyne. I suppose Beyond could work since it has three labeled and identified Droyne worlds, more than anyone else. (Plus, it is fairly close to the Spinward Marches.) Other than that, it is a shot in the dark ...
Assuming that this pattern is to be maintained, what does that mean for the other aliens?Vargr has to be Gvurrdon. It is an obvious fit, and Gvurrdon is the one Vargr subsector that has actually been officially detailed before. And it is adjacent to the Spinward Marches. Easy. Probably the best choice for the next book.
Zhodani is more difficult. The sector that is absolutely perfect is Foreven. They own 1/3 of the sector, and there are two other medium size polities to play with. To a large extent, Foreven is the Spinward Marches of the Zhodani. But that can't happen. Is using the old FASA stomping grounds of the Far Frontiers a viable choice?
If the Solomani are to be done, then the logical choice would be the ubiquitous Solomani Rim. But, it is not the only choice. Aldebaran would be a really, really cool choice, too. Or even the Dark Nebula, as mentioned earlier. The Solomani are really presented with too many good choices!
The K'kree are harder. But Gateway would work well. Particularly if the information from Lords of Thunder could be used, reused, or somehow borrowed from.
For the Hivers, the perfect choice is Spica. That gives a roughly 1/3 Hivers, 1/3 Solomani, 1/3 independents split. Lots of potential there. Failing that, Leonidae would be an interesting choice, even though the Hive Federation does not quite extend into it. Spica is probably best.
I'm stumped on the Droyne. I suppose Beyond could work since it has three labeled and identified Droyne worlds, more than anyone else. (Plus, it is fairly close to the Spinward Marches.) Other than that, it is a shot in the dark ...
Forgot about Droyne. Maybe the best place for the Droyne would be to not have a sector. Instead, detail up several Droyne/Ancient worlds in lots of different places throughout the entire region - a few in the 3rd Imperium, and a couple each in Vargr, Zhodani, Aslan, etc space. Since they aren't concentrated in any one place, don't treat them as such.daryen said:
GypsyComet
Emperor Mongoose
daryen said:
If you are doing Trojan Reach, the Marches, and Gvurrdon, then the Zhodani choice (since you have to avoid Foreven) is Ziafrplians. Heck, I've already done two of the subsectors for (fan) publication, and did the next sector spinward (Tienspevnekr) in its entirety.
And no, I didn't have to look either of those names up.
For what it's worth, at least one other Vargr occupied sector has been visited. Challenge had lengthy coverage of the sector the Julian Protectorate is in, and didn't someone do the Vargr home sector?
GypsyComet said:
My biggest problem with Ziafrplians is that it is like 90% Zhodani with no minor states. Sorry, but its boring. Far Frontiers would be way more interesting with its minor states that the Zhodani can go screw with.
But then maybe I just don't have the imagination to see how "adventuring" entirely within Zhodani space is exciting.
Now, I will admit that choosing the sector for the Julian Protectorate for the Vargr would be an unconventional, but utterly cool choice. That could be quite excellent if done well. (I still think Gvurrdon is the obvious choice, but this would be a great choice, too!)
GypsyComet
Emperor Mongoose
daryen said:
Ziafrplians has quite a large Vargr "bite" in it, but the "no minor states" point is a good one.
Far Frontiers, eh? You really are trying to either get my work into official print or get it erased, aren't you...
:lol:
qstor
Banded Mongoose
GypsyComet said:
I think Ziafrplians is cool. But I imagine that if you and John Wood don't get contacted, the author would have to do the sector data from scratch. And I don't know if John Wood's data has been 'playtested'.
But then I don't know if the Trojan Reach data from Traveller's Digest was 'playtested' either
By the Vargr home sector I was guessing that you meant Provence?
The Traveller Wiki has these sources for the sector.
– MegaTraveller Journal 2
– Alien Module 3: Vargr - named but no further data
– Alien - Vilani & Vargr - dot map provided
– David Drazul
Mike
