Short Glossary in the Introduction

[iwakun]

I'm wondering if there should be a short list of commonly-used but perhaps unfamiliar terms between the "Game Conventions" and "Technology Levels" sections.

The main reason I bring it up is Psionics. It's an unfamiliar term to people new to the Traveller universe, but it has a very specific meaning and is referred to throughout the book, even though the detailed chapter on it isn't until Chapter 10. For example, the first mention in the book is during random events that happen during character creation, and it's mentioned in a way that assumes the reader knows what it is.

Are there other terms that could be added to the glossary? Alien species names? "High Guard"? (tbh, I'm still not exactly sure what that means).

 

[MongooseMatt]

A good suggestion - my only reservation would be page count. I'll keep it in mind and see how we get on.

As for High Guard, explained in the introduction of that book (which you will be seeing the draft files of very soon!).

 

[iwakun]

Yeah, it's really only the term "Psionics" that's the problem. I wonder if there is a way to work it in. Maybe in the Third Imperium section?

"The Third Imperium is a universe filled with fantastic creatures and phenomena, including sentient alien species such as the Aslan or the Vargr, or the mysterious forbidden mind powers known as Psionics."

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Suggested terms in the Glossary (and maybe could be moved out of the actual text to save page count):

DM
Traveller
Character
Player
Referee
D
Action
Psionics/Psion

I am sure there are more...

 

[Bar-en]

I find it confusing to use the terms player and Traveller for player characters and characters for NPCs. You really should stick with the tried and true conventions for players and characters.

 

[-Daniel-]

I find it confusing to use the terms player and Traveller for player characters and characters for NPCs. You really should stick with the tried and true conventions for players and characters.

Not sure what you mean.

Player is the person playing the Character (Thus the acronym PC)
The Character is the person being played by the Player. (Again, thus the acronym PC)
A Non-Player Character is a person being played by the GM (Thus the acronym NPC)
This is standard for almost every RPG I have read or played.

Now some folks who play Traveller call the GM a Referee.

Does this match to what you are trying to say?

 

[Bar-en]

No it is not. You post is the conventional wisdom.

The introduction calls PCs "Players" and "Travellers." It also says the two terms are interchangeable.

NPCs are called "Characters."

 

[-Daniel-]

No it is not. You post is the conventional wisdom.

The introduction calls PCs "Players" and "Travellers." It also says the two terms are interchangeable.

NPCs are called "Characters."

Yes, NPC are Characters, Non-Player Characters as even stated in the introduction.

But you are taking one comment out of context. The paragraph right before the one you ar quoting says just what I said as well.

But if it is that unclear, then yes the paragraph needs to be cleared up.

 

[IanBruntlett]

I'm wondering if there should be a short list of commonly-used but perhaps unfamiliar terms between the "Game Conventions" and "Technology Levels" sections.

I think this would be best made available as a free PDF from the Mongoose website. Frees up space in the forthcoming CRB and is easier to update.