Old man finally released from Prison

[Shadowblayde99]

I know that you're not supposed to die in character creation but....

Max Novochek started life normally, going to university before getting a job as an Administrator on some asteroid mining facility.

At the age of 34, he decided to become a Broker and was quite successful.

At the age of 46, he decided it was time to start a new chapter of his life as a Traveller but, before he could, he was embroiled in legal trouble (rolled 8 on events table). This was bad but then matters got worse (I rolled 1 and 1) and he went to Prison.

His prison life really sucked, rolling 7 for his parole threshold, being accused of assaulting prison guards (threshold goes up by 2), being persecuted by a gang.

The upshot is that, due to a lot of bad rolls, he was finally released when he was 70 years old with bad legs, and back, arthritis and bad eyesight.

You can find him dozing in front of a holo TV at an old people's home.

 

[metlk]

I love Traveller Character Creatin just for these stories! I can't even count the amount of times I thought I was going to make a certain character only to have the dice say otherwise! Btw, I have grown to despise the Life Events table!

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

Back when I first thought I'd be playing traveller I created a High Guard character expecting a Naval doctor. He earned a MCG in his first term and was cross trained as pilot. 2nd term enlisted as a flight officer and went up the ranks so far that on his (mandatory) 8th term he was up for the final possible promotion. He then rolled 2 for promotion and 2 for re-enlisting. Over those terms he had 7 purple hearts, 3 MCUF, 3 MCG and a SEH as medals. He had every type of piloting skill and could fly anything Imperial from hang gliders and blimps to multi megaton starships. Never improved as a doctor.

I had planned to talk the GM into having him put in a low berth and shipped to the frontier under a fake name to keep him from being a threat to the Empire due to his popularity with his forces. The Sector security where he was sent would be advised to make sure he didn't move towards the core sectors but otherwise just watch him and if needed use his skills. His whole career after his 1st term would have been classified. I had ideas for how the DM could let tid bits "leak out" that he wasn't just a pilot. The security scan in Firefly of Shepherd Books ID was pretty much as I envisioned things if his was scanned by a security officer.

I had envisioned whoever had a ship among the players recruiting crew and my character showing up and when asked what he was applying for just say as a fact "I'm your pilot". If sent for a phsyical the doctor would report that he was in excellent health especially considering all the space combat (scars from earning 7 purple hearts) he had seen. Military hair cut, military bearing, clothing similar stylistically to naval officer clothing (but no rank insignia as his rank was classified).

Alas I never got to play him.

 

[swordtart]

Back when I first thought I'd be playing traveller I created a High Guard character expecting a Naval doctor. He earned a MCG in his first term and was cross trained as pilot. 2nd term enlisted as a flight officer and went up the ranks so far that on his (mandatory) 8th term he was up for the final possible promotion. He then rolled 2 for promotion and 2 for re-enlisting. Over those terms he had 7 purple hearts, 3 MCUF, 3 MCG and a SEH as medals. He had every type of piloting skill and could fly anything Imperial from hang gliders and blimps to multi megaton starships. Never improved as a doctor.

I had planned to talk the GM into having him put in a low berth and shipped to the frontier under a fake name to keep him from being a threat to the Empire due to his popularity with his forces. The Sector security where he was sent would be advised to make sure he didn't move towards the core sectors but otherwise just watch him and if needed use his skills. His whole career after his 1st term would have been classified. I had ideas for how the DM could let tid bits "leak out" that he wasn't just a pilot. The security scan in Firefly of Shepherd Books ID was pretty much as I envisioned things if his was scanned by a security officer.

I had envisioned whoever had a ship among the players recruiting crew and my character showing up and when asked what he was applying for just say as a fact "I'm your pilot". If sent for a phsyical the doctor would report that he was in excellent health especially considering all the space combat (scars from earning 7 purple hearts) he had seen. Military hair cut, military bearing, clothing similar stylistically to naval officer clothing (but no rank insignia as his rank was classified).

Alas I never got to play him.

Stat him up here and let him live out his best life as an NPC in other peoples games. Maybe they will post stories of his continuing exploits

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

I don't have a copy any more (had a fire). I'd need to try and recreate him from scratch.

 

[ottarrus]

So I joined an r/20 Traveller group and have an Uplifted Ape who did his last career term in prison.
Kinda hard to 'be inconspicuous', ya know?

 

[Sigtrygg]

"The upshot is that, due to a lot of bad rolls, he was finally released when he was 70 years old with bad legs, and back, arthritis and bad eyesight."

All of which can be fixed with high TL medical technology - if you have the money. And I bet he learned a few things about making money while inside...

Imagine him being played by Clint Eastwood or Sean Connery.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

Imagine him being played by Clint Eastwood or Sean Connery.

Or Jonathon Harris. Maybe Zero Mostel.

 

[Golan2072]

70 is not THAT old, even with his health issues. Sure, he is way past his physical prime, but probably gathered excellent skills (criminal or otherwise) while behind bars. Now you have the old, experienced character with great experience - did he make any Contacts/Allies in prison? Or Enemies? He could be an interesting NPC or even Patron (who got him into prison in the first place? I'd bet he's want revenge!).

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

Sure, he is way past his physical prime

Why? Thousands of years of medical advances and genetic engineering and life expectancy hasn't risen for "normal" people without anagathics? Just look at how much life expectancy has risen in the developed countries in the last 100 years. Not just that but their health and apparent youth compared to even 50 years ago.

 

[CordwainerFish]

Why? Thousands of years of medical advances and genetic engineering and life expectancy hasn't risen for "normal" people without anagathics? Just look at how much life expectancy has risen in the developed countries in the last 100 years. Not just that but their health and apparent youth compared to even 50 years ago.

As a matter of worldbuilding, it's plausible that medical advances prolong active lifespan (and equally plausible that they do not, or that they could but are not permitted to). As a matter of theme, the central concept of Trav is of characters who expected to do one thing until they retired found out the hard way that they wouldn't, and now have one last hurrah before age slows them down.

 

[Condottiere]

I don't see much point adventuring from a wheelchair, unless you have psionic powers.

 

[rinku]

I've been hoping to roll up a character that did time. Nearly happened for our current campaign (Pirate, arrested and charged event). Chose to represent herself unskilled instead of sacrificing a benefit roll to pay the lawyer, so needed to roll 11+... rolled a 12

So I gave her Advocate 1 from a Connection that was tied to that event.

 

[Arkathan]

I don't see much point adventuring from a wheelchair, unless you have psionic powers.

Wheelchairs can be gravitic, armored, and have stabilized rests for your ranged weapons.
For that matter, they can have waldo arms for your melee weapons.

 

[rinku]

Mobility assistance exosuit. They're listed in the Central Catalogue.

Throw in some auto injectors so the old geezer doesn't forget to take his meds.

Onboard nurse/carer agent program he can argue with.

How does this not improve ANY campaign?

Further thought: High Protection Value Mobility Assistance Exosuit.
"Sir, that battledress is illegal. You'll have to leave it on the ship."
"DISABILITY PERMIT!"
"Uh... well... yeah, those papers seem to be in order..."

 

[Condottiere]

From what I heard, people on crutches are currently being sent to assault trenches, so I had thought of exoskeletons.

But, these pieces of machinery tend to cost money, and would likely be non recoverable.

 

[boggo2300]

Trenches? thats SO TL-4

 

[Condottiere]

Funny, I thought so too, in a mechanized age.

But, apparently, at some point, you can run out of vehicles.

 

[Condottiere]

Also, a new law allows the military to requisition anything with a motor and wheels.