Traveller Release Schedule 2026

[rinku]

As a point, the original "average 2m" statement in CT sources (Journal 7, but maybe the earlier ones in adventure Library Data) did not mention gender, and it IS well established that Aslan males are bigger. So the *average Aslan male* can easily be more than 2m in height, especially given the 3:1 gender ratio.

1.9m female, 1.9m female, 1.9m female, would suggest an average 2.3m male, which is 90 inches (7 and a half feet).

And that's an average guy... 8 foot would only be 6% bigger. Which is the same as a 5'10" human vs a 6' 2" one. Less than the difference between myself and my son.

Now, the size difference is probably smaller between genders.. but even a couple of inches boosts the male baseline and then you potentially have the Aslan equivalent of Yao Ming, a 7' 6" human athlete.

So, yeah. If some art shows some Aslan around 8 foot I have no real issue there. You DO NOT want to mess with their basketball team! And... are you absolutely certain that the humans shown aren't just short guys? In the picture Grognardia posted, all of those humans could well be in the 5'2" range; there's only one clear adult male.

Also, I agree with Grog about Janet Aulisio being the definitive Aslan artist. Sorry, Bill.

 

[mavikfelna]

As a point, the original "average 2m" statement in CT sources (Journal 7, but maybe the earlier ones in adventure Library Data) did not mention gender, and it IS well established that Aslan males are bigger. So the *average Aslan male* can easily be more than 2m in height, especially given the 3:1 gender ratio.

1.9m female, 1.9m female, 1.9m female, would suggest an average 2.3m male, which is 90 inches (7 and a half feet).

And that's an average guy... 8 foot would only be 6% bigger. Which is the same as a 5'10" human vs a 6' 2" one. Less than the difference between myself and my son.

Now, the size difference is probably smaller between genders.. but even a couple of inches boosts the male baseline and then you potentially have the Aslan equivalent of Yao Ming, a 7' 6" human athlete.

So, yeah. If some art shows some Aslan around 8 foot I have no real issue there. You DO NOT want to mess with their basketball team! And... are you absolutely certain that the humans shown aren't just short guys? In the picture Grognardia posted, all of those humans could well be in the 5'2" range; there's only one clear adult male.

Also, I agree with Grog about Janet Aulisio being the definitive Aslan artist. Sorry, Bill.

I suppose my main complaint is them being size 6, but 8' still seems too tall for the typical Aslan, and the 8's show up an awful lot in the new art.

 

[Terry Mixon]

I suppose my main complaint is them being size 6, but 8' still seems too tall for the typical Aslan, and the 8's show up an awful lot in the new art.

Or the 12s.

 

[rinku]

I suppose my main complaint is them being size 6, but 8' still seems too tall for the typical Aslan, and the 8's show up an awful lot in the new art.

Well, that's the point. Your typical Aslan is female. Any art showing the boys doing boy things is by definition going to be above average size ones. They should be larger than 2m, and may be significantly larger, assuming size variation among individuals.

2m is basically 6' 6". Getting back to my numbers, even if Aslan females are on average 6' 5", that would put the average Aslan male at 6' 8". A tall one being over 7 foot certainly doesn't seem unlikely. The biggest bois getting up towards 8 foot, I'm good with. But maybe they're just hanging around short humans?

Can we see some of this 8' Aslan art and how you can tell what height they are?

(Did a quick check around and as far as I can see, a lot of the art has them too close to human height. But maybe those are tall humans, eh?)

 

[Grognardia]

A recent silly example

 

[Grognardia]

And another

 

[Vormaerin]

Human males should be at an Aslan male's shoulder, not his waist. And, yes, we can imagine that the art is the Shaq of Aslan with the Danny Devito of Humans.

But after the nth example of that, it doesn't hold up.

 

[CordwainerFish]

A recent silly example

I mean, that Aslan could be standing on a stack of phone books or something.

 

[Garnfellow]

I'm not certain about Aslan males being significantly taller than females. CT Aslan has the species

averaging 2 meters in height and 100 kg in weight. There are two sexes: male and female, of which the most notable external difference is the male's increased size and more impressive mane.

Which MT Solomani and Aslan interprets as

adults average 100 kilograms in weight and stand roughly 2 meters in height. Males and females are similar in size, but males tend to be heavier in build. Aslan in general are more massive than humans.

This is generally how I've gone: males and females are about the same height but males are bulkier.

Interestingly, GURPS Traveller reduced average Aslan height to 1.8 meters and weight to 90 kg. I'm not quite sure what the rationale for that change was, and in Alien Races 2 it's partially contradicted by the notes under Aslan Vehicles: "As with personal armor, all crew stations, passenger seats, etc., should be 10% larger for Aslan."

 

[tytalan]

@MongooseMatt it was mention that High Guard is getting the same treatment as the CRB in 2026. Is there a forum to point out things that need changing?

 

[AndrewW]

@MongooseMatt it was mention that High Guard is getting the same treatment as the CRB in 2026. Is there a forum to point out things that need changing?

See this thread:

High Guard Updates

 

[Tom B]

In AoCS1 - I would like to see more details about the Vargr subspecies. Perhaps even giving enough details to be Travellers.

 

[Nitehood]

What happened to The Sky Raider trilogy redo?

 

[MongooseMatt]

What happened to The Sky Raider trilogy redo?

On the cards still, just need to jiggle a few things in the schedule!

 

[Endie]

December
The Turning Tide: A wider look at the Fifth Frontier War before we dive into its final stages. With this book you will be able to consider the actions your Travellers and other characters have taken in past adventures, and determine how they have affected the wider course of the war. Have your Travellers altered the outcome of the Fifth Frontier War, and are they on a path that might greatly affect the balance of power in the Spinward Marches?

“The Turning Tide.” Way to signpost the outcome in this so-called “you will decide” product line.

This goes against the whole “the Travellers can affect the outcome” schtick that has been touted. MJD has been making the outcome super-clear right from the get-go. He spouts fluff about “oh, this radical outcome could happen!” but writes in the past tense - the Passé Simple even! - and then explicitly asserts with no uncertainty that this or that key border system never even falls to the Zhodani and the Zhodani offensive never threatens another system. I give zero craps who “wins” but since MJD has 100% decided an official outcome just be honest and tell me now so I don’t have the “wrong” maps when my Trojan reach campaign reaches 1109. Yes, I can decide for myself what happens but if I do that then why should I waste any more money on MJD’s Mary Sue fanfic?

I’m a boringly-predictable defender of Mongoose against the people who only post here to complain. And I’m normally a completist mug: I admit my weakness. But having bought the ICS papers, and the Armies and Fleets of the FFW books I’m not stupid enough to buy more FFW crap. They’re just MJD writing what he clearly dearly wants to happen. What he thinks should have happened first time around. This is the very opposite of a sandbox. I bought into (literally) the “you decide!” line and don’t I feel dumb!

Someone said that they thought this was MJD finally getting to win an argument on the TML listserv from the late 1990s. I remember those arguments and I couldn’t put it better.

 

[Tom B]

“The Turning Tide.” Way to signpost the outcome in this so-called “you will decide” product line.

This goes against the whole “the Travellers can affect the outcome” schtick that has been touted. MJD has been making the outcome super-clear right from the get-go. He spouts fluff about “oh, this radical outcome could happen!” but writes in the past tense - the Passé Simple even! - and then explicitly asserts with no uncertainty that this or that key border system never even falls to the Zhodani and the Zhodani offensive never threatens another system. I give zero craps who “wins” but since MJD has 100% decided an official outcome just be honest and tell me now so I don’t have the “wrong” maps when my Trojan reach campaign reaches 1109. Yes, I can decide for myself what happens but if I do that then why should I waste any more money on MJD’s Mary Sue fanfic?

I’m a boringly-predictable defender of Mongoose against the people who only post here to complain. And I’m normally a completist mug: I admit my weakness. But having bought the ICS papers, and the Armies and Fleets of the FFW books I’m not stupid enough to buy more FFW crap. They’re just MJD writing what he clearly dearly wants to happen. What he thinks should have happened first time around. This is the very opposite of a sandbox. I bought into (literally) the “you decide!” line and don’t I feel dumb!

Someone said that they thought this was MJD finally getting to win an argument on the TML listserv from the late 1990s. I remember those arguments and I couldn’t put it better.

If I were to run a FFW campaign, I would not rule out any outcome. The only problem with that is if things turn out completely different early on. You might end up having to rip up the module (metaphorically of course) and just use it for generic source material.

 

[ProfGrizzlyJon]

Is there any information available about "Misjump Adventures"? I spend a lot of my time working on just that sort of adventure...

 

[Micky]

“The Turning Tide.” Way to signpost the outcome in this so-called “you will decide” product line.

This goes against the whole “the Travellers can affect the outcome” schtick that has been touted. MJD has been making the outcome super-clear right from the get-go. He spouts fluff about “oh, this radical outcome could happen!” but writes in the past tense - the Passé Simple even! - and then explicitly asserts with no uncertainty that this or that key border system never even falls to the Zhodani and the Zhodani offensive never threatens another system. I give zero craps who “wins” but since MJD has 100% decided an official outcome just be honest and tell me now so I don’t have the “wrong” maps when my Trojan reach campaign reaches 1109. Yes, I can decide for myself what happens but if I do that then why should I waste any more money on MJD’s Mary Sue fanfic?

I’m a boringly-predictable defender of Mongoose against the people who only post here to complain. And I’m normally a completist mug: I admit my weakness. But having bought the ICS papers, and the Armies and Fleets of the FFW books I’m not stupid enough to buy more FFW crap. They’re just MJD writing what he clearly dearly wants to happen. What he thinks should have happened first time around. This is the very opposite of a sandbox. I bought into (literally) the “you decide!” line and don’t I feel dumb!

Someone said that they thought this was MJD finally getting to win an argument on the TML listserv from the late 1990s. I remember those arguments and I couldn’t put it better.

sadly I have to say I'm in complete agreement with that. Very disappointing series.... and could have started by fixing the early setting detailing that don't fit the evolved larger big picture Imperium setting. No Archduke? huh? Not even Sector Dukes? Umm.. they are the foundations on how a smoothly running and efficient Imperium operates. There really is zero plausible reason why the Imperium would not have them to administer that region by the timeframe of this border skirmish. They might not be good or efficient but they would be appointed to administer that region Updating early setting detailing when the later expanded detailing don't' match with it is allowed, other RPG settings such as Mystara did it such as with the obvious comparison of Karameikos to the Behind the Claw, while the initial setting worked, when the larger world got detailed later the original didn't fit as well and then was updated. There wasn't rioting in the streets... those who wanted the original still could use it, but those who wanted big picture, the new version fit better and made for a better overall setting.

Doing that, updating the setting, could have stated.. this is something new, more than a rehash or slapping lipstick (you decide) on what was largely preordained by the author and probably with 'him' being prominent. The 80 something mentions of Superduke Chucky Norris in the first book told me at least this was going to boil down to him donning the cape with the big S and singlehandedly defeating both incompetent Imperials and bad Zhodani standing in his way to yes.. becoming the Archduke. Of course I'm sure this is how this will all end and was intended from the start. Perhaps why the rough original setting detailing wasn't fixed here in this series.

 

[Endie]

sadly I have to say I'm in complete agreement with that. Very disappointing series.... and could have started by fixing the early setting detailing that don't fit the evolved larger big picture Imperium setting. No Archduke? huh? Not even Sector Dukes? Umm.. they are the foundations on how a smoothly running and efficient Imperium operates. There really is zero plausible reason why the Imperium would not have them to administer that region by the timeframe of this border skirmish. They might not be good or efficient but they would be appointed to administer that region Updating early setting detailing when the later expanded detailing don't' match with it is allowed, other RPG settings such as Mystara did it such as with the obvious comparison of Karameikos to the Behind the Claw, while the initial setting worked, when the larger world got detailed later the original didn't fit as well and then was updated. There wasn't rioting in the streets... those who wanted the original still could use it, but those who wanted big picture, the new version fit better and made for a better overall setting.

Doing that, updating the setting, could have stated.. this is something new, more than a rehash or slapping lipstick (you decide) on what was largely preordained by the author and probably with 'him' being prominent. The 80 something mentions of Superduke Chucky Norris in the first book told me at least this was going to boil down to him donning the cape with the big S and singlehandedly defeating both incompetent Imperials and bad Zhodani standing in his way to yes.. becoming the Archduke. Of course I'm sure this is how this will all end and was intended from the start. Perhaps why the rough original setting detailing wasn't fixed here in this series.

To be fair to MJD, I know that Marc has put handcuffs on him in the past. Even utterly nonsensical, randomly-generated UWPs have been locked and he has been told he cannot alter them.

I suspect that elements like the lack of an archduke or sector duke, or even of a proper domain, have been asserted as unalterable, even though they’re fairly nonsensical. And I share your suspicions about the descent in glory, from glowing clouds, of Supernorris to save the day. I really can’t be bothered to get the book off the shelf and look it up, but I’m sure I remember it even being flagged as a turning point.

 

[Micky]

To be fair to MJD, I know that Marc has put handcuffs on him in the past. Even utterly nonsensical, randomly-generated UWPs have been locked and he has been told he cannot alter them.

I suspect that elements like the lack of an archduke or sector duke, or even of a proper domain, have been asserted as unalterable, even though they’re fairly nonsensical. And I share your suspicions about the descent in glory, from glowing clouds, of Supernorris to save the day. I really can’t be bothered to get the book off the shelf and look it up, but I’m sure I remember it even being flagged as a turning point.

Supernorris? I like that... I had similar moniker for his early 80's D&D equivalent. Saint Stephen Karameikos. Able to snap his fingers and setting plausibility goes all to hell. Those mid to late 80's metaplots were bad enough without injecting the beloved personalities from the earlier original micro settings into them... where crazy implausible stuff goes down to have them become bigger more important fish in the (now) much larger oceans as the original settings expanded.

as far as updating. This game now belongs to Mongoose doesn't it. Sure they are stewards of the game, the rules and game system which is and should be Marc Miller's ticket to a 1st ballot RPG HoF induction.... but the setting should be up to them to put their stamp on it. Especially as setting creation is a whole kettle of fish from designing a game system. Much like the differences between writing a good source book and writing a good adventure/campaign. Very different things. Speaking of.

Not aware of any personal dynamics between MM and MJD but I would think that if Mongoose big head came to him, out of and with respect and said something to effect of .... you are a hall of fame 1st ballot game designer, but the setting could use a bit of update and smooth out the rough edges of the patchwork way the setting was put together over the decades... which is most obvious in its flagship local setting behind that claw. Hard to see MM saying no, even if he could. Anyhow all spilled milk, it was a lost opportunity here and with it, probably any real chance of doing so in the near future as yes... it would probably make a huge difference in how the 5FW would play out plotwise. Making this slew of books even more worthless.