mavikfelna
Emperor Mongoose
While doing research on the Traveller's Aid Society, the StarPass has come up in several unofficial locations and GURPS Traveller at least mentions the idea if not specifically using the name StarPass. Looking at the wiki, it only mentions StarPass as a prepaid voucher program without any mention of TAS. I really like the idea and I plan on adding it to my TAS write-up as an affiliated program with the Trader's Guild but I wanted to see what others think about the idea.
Here's my write-up for StarPass, please let me in know what you think.
EDIT: Changed the concept. Here is the rewrite.
StarPass LIC is an independent company jointly owned by TAS, the Trader's Guild and some additional investors that offers a simple way to allow travellers to access travel services. The StarPass itself is a bio-locked, rechargeable TL15 chip or card that is loaded with credits as a pre-paid credit card that may be used to purchase passage tickets and travel related services at a small discount of 5% anywhere TAS or Trader’s Guild services are available. Once issued, the cards are bio coded to the individual holding the card and they are not transferrable. A card holder may, however, use the loaded value to purchase passage tickets for themselves or anyone else up to the value currently held on the card. No person may be issued more than one StarPass. If a pass is lost or damaged, the account associated with it is closed and a new one opened with the new card. Any existing balance may be transferred at the digression of StarPass LIC.
TAS issues StarPass cards or chips to all members. These cards are then used to deliver the monthly dividend all members receive. This has replaced the original bi-monthly High Passage dividend from the earlier days of the society due to its greater flexibility and ease with which the member can access their benefit.
The Trader’s Guild uses these to provide crew who have signed the articles aboard their ships as way to return to their home port in the event of an emergency or if they are forced off the ship in a way that does not violate their articles. The crew is issued a blank StarPass as part of their crew arrangements after their third month of employment and then a portion of their salary, usually matched by the ship, is paid into the fund each pay period.
These cards are also often purchased by employers and loaded with a set value to allow an employee or contractor to purchase their own return passage from the site of their job or mission to some set return point, usually a home world or corporate office location.
The cards are also purchased by travellers who wish to have ready access to travel passages while travelling when they might not have easy banking access but do have access to TAS affiliated travel services.
StarPass cards may be presented at any TAS kiosk or travel services office and redeemed for a passage of the type they wish, up to the value on the card. Passes may also be recharged by the user by up to 250,000 Cr annually so long as the user has access to a valid affiliated bank or financial service to charge the account to.
Game Rule: The TAS benefit is worth 5,000 Cr a month. As this is treated as a dividend, the value may be variable for those GMs wishing to track it. Roll vs. 8+, each level of effect is a 2% change in value. An effect of +/-6 is a critical and changes the value by 20%. The base value resets to 5,000 Cr each month.
Alt Rule: For those GMs wishing to be generous, funds in the StarPass may generate interest. 0.5% interest on the balance accrues monthly.
StarPass: The StarPass is a program jointly run by TAS and the Trader's Guild that offers a simple way to allow non-TAS members to access limited TAS travel services. The StarPass itself is a bio-locked, rechargeable card that is loaded with a number of High, Middle or Basic passage credits. A LowPass version of the card also exists that is usable only for Low passage tickets. Once issued, the cards are bio coded to the individual holding the card and they are not transferrable. A cardholder may, however, use the loaded value to purchase passage tickets for themselves or anyone else up to the value currently held on the card. When initallyu
These cards are usually purchased by employers and loaded with a set value of passages, then given to employees or contractors to allow them to purchase their own return passage from the site of a job or mission, to some set return point like a home world or corporate office location. These cards are also often used by shipowners to provide crew who have signed the articles aboard their ships to have a way to return to their home port in the event of an emergency or if they are forced off the ship in a way that has not violated the articles. Passes are also sometimes purchased by travellers to have ready access to travel passages when they might not have easy banking access but do have access to TAS affiliated travel services.
StarPass cards may be presented at any TAS kiosk or travel services office and redeemed for a passage of the appropriate type. They may also be recharged up to any value desired, so long as the user has access to a valid affiliated bank or financial service to charge the passages to.
EDIT to add: What about discounts? Should they be included? How about accounting for jump distances? I think I was just going off the notion that it was a number of one jump passages but maybe it would be better as a set cash value and then the cost for the actual jump distance is deducted? And what about differing types of passages? If you load it up with High Passage value, can you use it for Middle Passage tickets instead and retain the cost difference on the card?
Here's my write-up for StarPass, please let me in know what you think.
EDIT: Changed the concept. Here is the rewrite.
StarPass LIC is an independent company jointly owned by TAS, the Trader's Guild and some additional investors that offers a simple way to allow travellers to access travel services. The StarPass itself is a bio-locked, rechargeable TL15 chip or card that is loaded with credits as a pre-paid credit card that may be used to purchase passage tickets and travel related services at a small discount of 5% anywhere TAS or Trader’s Guild services are available. Once issued, the cards are bio coded to the individual holding the card and they are not transferrable. A card holder may, however, use the loaded value to purchase passage tickets for themselves or anyone else up to the value currently held on the card. No person may be issued more than one StarPass. If a pass is lost or damaged, the account associated with it is closed and a new one opened with the new card. Any existing balance may be transferred at the digression of StarPass LIC.
TAS issues StarPass cards or chips to all members. These cards are then used to deliver the monthly dividend all members receive. This has replaced the original bi-monthly High Passage dividend from the earlier days of the society due to its greater flexibility and ease with which the member can access their benefit.
The Trader’s Guild uses these to provide crew who have signed the articles aboard their ships as way to return to their home port in the event of an emergency or if they are forced off the ship in a way that does not violate their articles. The crew is issued a blank StarPass as part of their crew arrangements after their third month of employment and then a portion of their salary, usually matched by the ship, is paid into the fund each pay period.
These cards are also often purchased by employers and loaded with a set value to allow an employee or contractor to purchase their own return passage from the site of their job or mission to some set return point, usually a home world or corporate office location.
The cards are also purchased by travellers who wish to have ready access to travel passages while travelling when they might not have easy banking access but do have access to TAS affiliated travel services.
StarPass cards may be presented at any TAS kiosk or travel services office and redeemed for a passage of the type they wish, up to the value on the card. Passes may also be recharged by the user by up to 250,000 Cr annually so long as the user has access to a valid affiliated bank or financial service to charge the account to.
Game Rule: The TAS benefit is worth 5,000 Cr a month. As this is treated as a dividend, the value may be variable for those GMs wishing to track it. Roll vs. 8+, each level of effect is a 2% change in value. An effect of +/-6 is a critical and changes the value by 20%. The base value resets to 5,000 Cr each month.
Alt Rule: For those GMs wishing to be generous, funds in the StarPass may generate interest. 0.5% interest on the balance accrues monthly.
These cards are usually purchased by employers and loaded with a set value of passages, then given to employees or contractors to allow them to purchase their own return passage from the site of a job or mission, to some set return point like a home world or corporate office location. These cards are also often used by shipowners to provide crew who have signed the articles aboard their ships to have a way to return to their home port in the event of an emergency or if they are forced off the ship in a way that has not violated the articles. Passes are also sometimes purchased by travellers to have ready access to travel passages when they might not have easy banking access but do have access to TAS affiliated travel services.
StarPass cards may be presented at any TAS kiosk or travel services office and redeemed for a passage of the appropriate type. They may also be recharged up to any value desired, so long as the user has access to a valid affiliated bank or financial service to charge the passages to.
EDIT to add: What about discounts? Should they be included? How about accounting for jump distances? I think I was just going off the notion that it was a number of one jump passages but maybe it would be better as a set cash value and then the cost for the actual jump distance is deducted? And what about differing types of passages? If you load it up with High Passage value, can you use it for Middle Passage tickets instead and retain the cost difference on the card?
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