Space Western - Would like Your Input

[BP]

Western style you say - then dynamite is in order! And some mining - gotta have mining...

Tell'n ya - those pristine islands gotta be sitting on some pretty stakes - what with the rest o' the planet being noth'n but sea...

 

[Jacqual]

My working notes/ideas so far:

* Run just like an old west town.

Sounds good except with a Law Level of 5 you'll never have an old West town feeling. Highest LL @7 that would work would be 3.

A law level of 5 allows for rifles, shotguns and pistols, but no automatic weapons. That sounds like the Old West to me.

Also, women are wavered one law level (can carry a concealed weapon) provided she wears a colored ribbon in plain site on the wrist of her gun hand.


P.S. It's typical of you to make a negative comment without contributing positively in any way or even answering the questions in the initial post.


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Woman allowed to carry concealed weapons if they wear a colored ribbin on the wrist of the gun arm. This actually defeats the purpose of a concealed weapon, telling everyone you have a concealed weapon.
If your looking for western type story feeling Sean Connery "Outland" is a good sci fi western set on a corperate controlled outpost.

edit for spelling and i still might have missed some, not even going into the law level discussion. Just the fact concealed means concealed.

 

[zero]

Law Level 4 the planet. Simple. I'd make sentencing rolls a little harsher than normal though, due to the harsh ways criminals were dealt with in westerns (Like make Death Penalty reachable). Harsh, but then you got yourself a prison-break adventure if a PC gets it.

 

[Solomani666]

P.S. It's typical of you to make a negative comment without contributing positively in any way or even answering the questions in the initial post.


Woman allowed to carry concealed weapons if they wear a colored ribbin on the wrist of the gun arm. This actually defeatts the purpose of a concealed weapon, telling everyone you have a concealed weapon.

Exactly!

Concealed weapons are against the law and holsters don't fit too well with a cocktail dress.

A man 'could' wear a ribbon on his wrist if he wanted to but...


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[Solomani666]

Law Level 4 the planet. Simple. I'd make sentencing rolls a little harsher than normal though, due to the harsh ways criminals were dealt with in westerns (Like make Death Penalty reachable). Harsh, but then you got yourself a prison-break adventure if a PC gets it.

They tried that, but there were too many problems with the 'Tacos' (Persons from the Natoko system).


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[BP]

...
They tried that, but there were too many problems with the 'Tacos' (Persons from the Natoko system).

Ohhh... I assume there's Nat'ko cheese with that... :lol:

 

[Liam Devlin]

Mssr Solomani666,

Far be it from me to suggest this, but having lived my formative years on Hawaii (Da' was in the Navy there w/ 7th Fleet 1965-68), but you could for flora & fauna use whats on Hawaii for the jungle plants, and add the bad critters afterwards.

Hawaiian islands have a very diverse ecosystem, and lots of insects and flowering plants.
Don't forget there's only snow on one location in the isalnds, and thats due to elevation, despite its being in the tropics!

Volcanic rock will emerge from the most unlikely places in the jungle; don't forget vines and all sorts of creeping plants; The humidity under triple canopy jungle is stifling.

Mangrove swamps--coastal areas where local water courses run to the sea are also diverse areas of flora and fauna life, used to brackish water (partially silt & fresh/ partially salt water. I suggest a hexapodal Salt water / marine crocodile for these areas--and as long lived and toothy for a meal (any) that comes their way.

Birds--tropical birds and sea bird life in the islands are many & quite colorful. You can lift a lot from websites on tourism and such for Hawaii or Fiji and get pictures and ideas.

Western feel:
Riding animal? Megafauna?

You recall the Scout logo of old, a man riding a octapodal lizard? Why not have those critters native here?

And while there are dirtbikes and tractors, don't forget the animal powered wagon when you've a long way to harvest season and as a farmer your pinching creds for beans & bullets for the critters and saving fuel expenses!

As another poster said, imported Terran water-oxen are suited to the tropical regions of the Pacific. Unlike horses, they double as a meat source when they've finished work-life cycle for the farmer.

But, lest you forget about Hawaii & the islands in general--boats! Almost everyone living within 6-12 kms of the water will own a boat (Tsunamis happen mon, and Brudda, dey be vexin' any caught by dem)--water transport is everywhere from dugout canoes with outriggers to motorized pleasure craft.

Roads inland are packed red clay, and get real muddy come the rainy season! Perfect for horses, oxen, foot travel, oh and those rich folk who got real wheels too!

Sun hats--sun is brighter there near the equator. Its not just a souvenir at the starport, its portable shade!

Best I can cough up for ya on short notice!
I like the sounds of it 8) 8) 8) 8)

 

[Dave Chase]

Liam Devlin
Forgot to mention that there are several ranches on the Islands and Rodeo's too.

Alot of people do not realize just how diverse Hawaii is in what it produces, besides tourists.

But, there are different rates depending on if you are a native or a tourist or military.

Oh, and one of the best parts that I liked (besides all the historical locations and information) was the open air, twice a week flea market.

Lots of hand made items and food.

Dave Chase

 

[Liam Devlin]

Yes, I did forget the price ranging too! Good catch Mr Chase!

 

[Jame Rowe]

Solo Man, if you can find Firefly on DVD, say borrow it from your local library (it's what I did!), some of it can be used for Space Western, especially if you use my suggestion below (up the TL by 2 or 3).

My working notes/ideas so far:

* Run just like an old west town.

Sounds good except with a Law Level of 5 you'll never have an old West town feeling. Highest LL @7 that would work would be 3.

I would actually suggest that you (Solomani) up the TL to 9 or 10, but lately I've thought that about Traveller in general.

(Tech levels of Imperial, K'Kree, Solomani, and Zhodani, as well as most Aslan and those Vargr in contact with the 3I, should regularly be 9 or 10, with the minimum "backwater" tech should be 5 or 6. In My Not Humble Opinion [IMNHO].)

 

[DFW]

I would actually suggest that you (Solomani) up the TL to 9 or 10, but lately I've thought that about Traveller in general.

(Tech levels of Imperial, K'Kree, Solomani, and Zhodani, as well as most Aslan and those Vargr in contact with the 3I, should regularly be 9 or 10, with the minimum "backwater" tech should be 5 or 6. In My Not Humble Opinion [IMNHO].)

When I was running a 3I based based game, TL 9 was the rock bottom for humans that were in contact with Imperium or Solomani.

 

[Solomani666]

...
They tried that, but there were too many problems with the 'Tacos' (Persons from the Natoko system).

Ohhh... I assume there's Nat'ko cheese with that... :lol:

Yep, I'm modeling them after Cuba under Fidel with a Mexican flair.


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[Solomani666]

Mssr Solomani666,

Far be it from me to suggest this, but having lived my formative years on Hawaii (Da' was in the Navy there w/ 7th Fleet 1965-68), but you could for flora & fauna use whats on Hawaii for the jungle plants, and add the bad critters afterwards.

...

Best I can cough up for ya on short notice!
I like the sounds of it 8) 8) 8) 8)

Thanks. A really big help.


.

 

[Solomani666]

I would actually suggest that you (Solomani) up the TL to 9 or 10, but lately I've thought that about Traveller in general.

(Tech levels of Imperial, K'Kree, Solomani, and Zhodani, as well as most Aslan and those Vargr in contact with the 3I, should regularly be 9 or 10, with the minimum "backwater" tech should be 5 or 6. In My Not Humble Opinion [IMNHO].)

The starport facilities are TL 11, but are owned and operated by Imperium.

The local industry can sustain a TL 7 infrastructure.

Some non-military items of TL 9 are imported from Natoko 1 jump away.

Automatic weapons of any kind as well as weapons above TL 7 are strictly forbidden.
Imperial weapons permits are NOT honored.

.

 

[Egil Skallagrimsson]

What Government type is this world (cant be bothered to find my Trav Core and check)??

I generally only worry about what a law level allows if that thing is part of contraband. If weapons arent contraband (I cant see a western world with that gov type btw) then it doesnt matter what the Law Level allows.

Yep, people tend to forget this, that not all contraband is contraband on all worlds. Even the goods given are examples, not proscription.

Some excellent ideas on this thread, may well pinch a few myself

Still think that a very low law level is the way to go, 1 or 2, but the low population and limited wealth of the world likely to limit what weaponry is available, though I may allow some higher tech weapons, with the virtually non-existant industrial base on such a low pop world, anything more dangerous than a sharpened stick will be imported.

Egil

Edited (1)for grammar and (2) for meaning!

 

[Ishmael]

I also wouldn't worry overly much about the gov type either...

Just because the big government is a Republic, or Socialist, or whatever, doesn't mean that is the functional government out in the boondocks. Out there, things might be run by family/clans or tribal leaders or local corporate offices if things are run by anyone at all. Only the 'civilized' areas might follow the big government way 'over there somewhere' and those folks will just have to work with how things are run 'out here'.

The big government won't raise a fuss so long as there is no local fuss raised first and peace and trade are kept nice... otherwise, the cavalry gets called in to knock heads.

The powers 'out here' will do what they like, legal and illegal, until a fuss is raised that forces the big government to intervene. Greased palms help control how loud of a fuss the big government will tolerate/ignore.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Mssr Solomani666,

Far be it from me to suggest this, but having lived my formative years on Hawaii (Da' was in the Navy there w/ 7th Fleet 1965-68), but you could for flora & fauna use whats on Hawaii for the jungle plants, and add the bad critters afterwards.

...

Best I can cough up for ya on short notice!
I like the sounds of it 8) 8) 8) 8)

Thanks. A really big help..

Mssr Solomani666,

You're most welcome! I was relying on childhood memories over 42 years ago. Was recently reminded by seeing movie PoTC-4 "Stranger Tides" just how beautiful parts of the island still are.

 

[Jame Rowe]

I would actually suggest that you (Solomani) up the TL to 9 or 10, but lately I've thought that about Traveller in general.

(Tech levels of Imperial, K'Kree, Solomani, and Zhodani, as well as most Aslan and those Vargr in contact with the 3I, should regularly be 9 or 10, with the minimum "backwater" tech should be 5 or 6. In My Not Humble Opinion [IMNHO].)

The starport facilities are TL 11, but are owned and operated by Imperium.

That's a good idea of handling starports, especially those which are C or better (my suggestion is C port minimum TL is 9/10, B is min. 11 and A is min. 12 if you're using the OTU, but again, just a suggestion).

The local industry can sustain a TL 7 infrastructure.

Some non-military items of TL 9 are imported from Natoko 1 jump away.

Ahh, and another source of friction with those Tacoes! (E.G. your PCs enter the library to hear one of the locals say "Damn this Natoko-made piece of trash!" about a comm.)

Automatic weapons of any kind as well as weapons above TL 7 are strictly forbidden.
Imperial weapons permits are NOT honored.

Now THIS one just brings a smile to my face when I think of your players' responses... :twisted: :lol:

 

[Liam Devlin]

The starport facilities are TL 11, but are owned and operated by Imperium.

The local industry can sustain a TL 7 infrastructure.

Some non-military items of TL 9 are imported from Natoko 1 jump away.

Automatic weapons of any kind as well as weapons above TL 7 are strictly forbidden.
Imperial weapons permits are NOT honored.

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Mssr Solomani666,

Are you in possession of MGT: Starports?

Given the usual extrality-line issues, the SPA Port Governor & his/her/its Director's guidance there, and your clash of jurisdictions between the Imperial Marshal and the town Marshal. You do mention the nearest town (major settlement) is 50km away.

From the sounds of things you described thus far, your 'Startown' sounds like it resides there, and not a shanty-town squatting just outside the Downport. Given the differences between Starport LL and the planet's LL you've room for friction on the weapon's issue no doubt.

More smalltown/ Western feel ideas:

:arrow: A single General Goods store, family owned & operated of course, and prices are set for offworlders higher than locals

:arrow: A general flea market/ produce/ fish market where bartering and haggling is permitted...

:arrow: There's only one Hotel, but several saloons (Sorry sir, the rooms upstairs are where the employee's live!)

:arrow: Boarding Houses--families with grown up children now renting out their kid's former rooms...

:arrow: Lots of laundry lines out behind houses--why buy Maytag when you have sunshine for free?

Just some visual touches for ya!

 

[alex_greene]

Do you have ungulate beasts of burden? You'll need a blacksmith / farrier to shoe them, and a nightsoil collector to gather up the useful leavings.

Does the world have its equivalent of edible chickens, ducks and geese? Poultry coops round the back, providing eggs, down and meat.

Does the settlement see frequent violence? You'll need a brig, and also an undertaker's office.