X-Boat Routes

[ravenpolar]

A question regarding x-boat routes on a subsector map.
I understand what they are for, how they are used, etc, but how are the actual routes decided upon? i.e their placement within a sector
For example, I just posted a sector map im working on at my blog, but it has no x-boat routes.
Should i just place them...
Where I think it looks cool?
Where makes sense in regards to Starports (class A only, class A&B)?
Or am I missing some rules somewhere on how to place them?

 

[ravenpolar]

Thanks BenGunn.
One other question if i may.
Is there anything to limit the length of an x-boat route?
For example if a subsector had only two A class starports and the rest were D, E or X and the ports were at the top of the map (0101) and at the bottom (0808).

My assumption would be that the route would travel out of the subsector rather then between the two, perhaps circling around neighbouring subsectors.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Ben's last point in important; especially within an OTU style setting.

The X-boat network should be as much about politics as it is about efficiency. One comment that I remember, but can't for the life of me remember where I heard it, was that the X-boat connected to a particular world because it was the homeworld of the Duke's current mistress.

Don't make it as efficient as it could be. Leave some worlds out for political reasons. Add some unlikely worlds for the same reasons. Don't always follow the most efficient way between two important systems, etc.

It is art, not science.

Personally, I use the "Consulate" Base as an indicator of an important world. I make all Consulate worlds be part of the X-Boat network.

Also, X-Boats will not normally cross political boundaries between empires, although there may be a connecting point (again based on politics, not efficiency).

 

[Gee4orce]

There is a problem with the way XBoat routes are mapped. It the route runs directly in line with the hex grid (ie. north, south, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west) it's impossible to tell if the route stops at intermediate worlds.

In other words, say there's a chain of worlds A,B,C, J1 apart, in-line, and the Xboat route runs along them, it's impossible to see if the route runs directly from world A to world C or if it also goes to world B first.

I think the route should be marked with arcs instead of straight lines to prevent this.

 

[StephenT]

Looking at the x-boat routes in published Traveller supplements over the years, I think it's going too far to say that every world that meets certain criteria will have an x-boat link. In the Sol subsector itself, for instance, there are 18 worlds but only 7 of them have x-boat routes... and the planets that lack them include one with a Class A starport (Agidda/Sol)and no fewer than seven with Class B starports. But there's a world with a Class E starport that is on the network!

Remember, the primary purpose of the x-boat system is to help the Imperial government keep control. So I'd start by drawing in links to connect each subsector capital to each other, and a line going off-map in the direction of the Imperial capital. If the connecting links in the chain can be placed on high-population worlds with Class A starports and naval bases, then do so; but it's a secondary consideration.

Having done that, then add in a few spurs and branches to other worlds of political importance: but don't feel under any obligation to connect every world.

Remember, the x-boat system doesn't only include the J-4 express boats. Each world on the printed routes on the maps will probably have a squadron of J-2 scout/couriers who take important messages to other nearby worlds.

 

[rust]

And the actual X-Boat network IIRC/IMHO is ONLY X-Boats. Scouts and Subbies only come into play outside the official routes.

It would probably depend on the point of view. For the IISS, the couriers
are not a part of the X-Boat network, for a world off the network the cou-
rier who delivers the mail to them is a part of the network.

 

[BP]

I seem to remember (well a lot of things that probably never happened..) a Postscript or PDF sector mapper floating around the web that included what I thought were good automated x-boat routes - it didn't generate system data -just mapped it and added routes.

Maybe someone here knows what I'm talking about (cause I sure don't )

 

[GypsyComet]

Thanks BenGunn.
One other question if i may.
Is there anything to limit the length of an x-boat route?
For example if a subsector had only two A class starports and the rest were D, E or X and the ports were at the top of the map (0101) and at the bottom (0808).

My assumption would be that the route would travel out of the subsector rather then between the two, perhaps circling around neighbouring subsectors.

Which is why you want to establish X-boat routes a sector at a time.

Map the A and B ports, the High Population worlds, and the high TL worlds. If your particular political structure calls for subsector capitals you'll also want to know where those are. You will also want to know where the Navy and Scout bases are.

More than connecting A and B ports, you are connecting "important" worlds. That these often have A and B ports (or that those ports *make* them important) is a chicken-and-egg question.

If you are assuming a strongly linked government, then the local capitals will be a strong draw for courier routes, regardless of ports.

If you have a gap with nothing "important" in it but a perceived need to get from one side to the other, look at Scout bases (which tend to occur at smaller ports) as good intermediates.

Sometimes you just have to make a spot at a world with nothing to offer except its position. It happens. Just remember to take the presence of a X-Boat tender or two in that system into account. Maybe re-roll (or GM fiat) a Scout base into that spot, or come up with reasons why there isn't one (which can easily lead to hooks for using the system on your PCs).

 

[Ishmael]

maybe x-boat routes/bases were determined hundred/thousands of years in the past...things have changed since then such that it makes little sense nowadays.

maybe the some/many bases were built based on political wrangling and boondoggles where some/many were pork barrel projects.

I'd say keep to best/shortest routes to high pop worlds because thats where most messages/data will originate at/ and/or be sent to.

the other worlds get feeders based on population.
I'm also under the assumption that the military would use their own couriers and the x-boat is mostly civilian and government generated mail and data

 

[AndrewW]

I seem to remember (well a lot of things that probably never happened..) a Postscript or PDF sector mapper floating around the web that included what I thought were good automated x-boat routes - it didn't generate system data -just mapped it and added routes.

Maybe someone here knows what I'm talking about (cause I sure don't )

The old Trader program from Game Designers Workshop could generate X-boat routes.

 

[walkir]

There is a problem with the way XBoat routes are mapped. It the route runs directly in line with the hex grid (ie. north, south, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west) it's impossible to tell if the route stops at intermediate worlds.

IMTU, X-Boats stop every 4 parsec, except a rift or something like that forces them to jump shorter and refuel.
The placement of the routes is politics, sure, but if 4 systems 1 parsec apart from each other demand the x-boats stopping there, the persons planning them may likely say X-boats are about speed primarily.
You don't delay a declaration of war or other information relevant to the imperial court just because you're jealous of your neighbour's infrastructure. And if you want to do this, go to the (arch?)duke and tell him of your plans... He won't be amused. That much is for sure.

There will be exceptions, sure - mainly capitals, big production centers and such. But I guess you take those worlds and plan the network from that point. And if that means jumping shorter than 4 parsec, so be it.

 

[BP]

... The old Trader program from Game Designers Workshop could generate X-boat routes.

I assume that was an Apple BASIC app?

The one I'm thinking of included source (C probably) - so it could be easily modified. And it produced beautiful (mostly B&W) postscript (.ps)output...

 

[AndrewW]

... The old Trader program from Game Designers Workshop could generate X-boat routes.

I assume that was an Apple BASIC app?

The one I'm thinking of included source (C probably) - so it could be easily modified. And it produced beautiful (mostly B&W) postscript (.ps)output...

It is Applesoft BASIC. Just one that can do it.

 

[qstor]

There's been a number of threads on this topic over at Citizens of the Imperium and its been covered on the Traveller mailing list. You might want to check those sources. Sorry but I don't have more specifics.

Mike

 

[ravenpolar]

On the basis of the suggestions that have been give (thanks to you all), I have updated my subsector map with x-boat routes.
Any comments (positive or negative) would be much appreciated.

 

[StephenT]

Disagree here. SOL subsector due to it's history is a bad example without having data on the 1000-1105 development there.

But looking at the rest of the Solomani Rim, it's pretty typical. The only 'political' point of note is that Terra itself isn't the subsector capital, due to it still being under Imperial military occupation.

And the actual X-Boat network IIRC/IMHO is ONLY X-Boats. Scouts and Subbies only come into play outside the official routes.

That's a matter of semantics and bureaucracy. The "official" x-boat system run by the Express Boat Service follows the routes on the map. The Imperial Courier Service "is responsible for carrying messages, small packages and important personnel to worlds off the main express boat routes". (From CT Book 6) Both the EBS and the ICS are part of the Communications Office of the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service.

As for "control", that is done by "gimping" the X-Boats to J4 and employing J6 naval and even imperial Family couriers to deliver news directly to the Dukes and Archdukes and/or the Depot worlds.

You've misunderstood me. The J-6 routes are for top secret, high-level communications between the most senior members of the Imperial government. By 'control' I was referring to the normal, routine business of government and commerce; the million and one memos and reports and accounting transactions that the Imperial subsector capitals (and perhaps even more importantly, the Megacorporation branch offices) doubtless have to pass between each other every week. That, IMO, is the bulk of what the x-boats carry.

Anyway, enough talk - more pictures! This is a map of the entire Solomani Rim sector showing the x-boat routes (again, from CT Supplement 10):

Note that the Imperial sector capital - Dingir - is at the crossroads of routes heading off the top of the map (towards the Imperial Core) and to the sectors to the left and right of the map. There's also at least a branch route going to every subsector capital (marked in purple). However, on average only 4 - 5 of the worlds in each subsector are linked together, and in many cases the route goes outside the subsector and loops back again. There are plenty of Class A starports and High Population worlds not on the network.

 

[GypsyComet]

On the basis of the suggestions that have been give (thanks to you all), I have updated my subsector map with x-boat routes.
Any comments (positive or negative) would be much appreciated.

I see you took me rather literally about bases.

I'd probably connect 0405 and 0408 through 0307 and leave 0406 out of it, remove the 0405 to 0504 connection and connect 0404 to 0504, then connect 0405 to 0707 directly.

The 0408 to 0310 connection is probably not needed unless there is a connection off the map to rimward (down) or that interdicted world is an explosion risk. If the stars further down work out, I'd probably run through 0210 instead.

This is based *solely* on the information and layout of stars on the map. You may have more info about the worlds that has an effect of fast courier routes.

 

[BP]

... And the actual X-Boat network IIRC/IMHO is ONLY X-Boats. Scouts and Subbies only come into play outside the official routes.

Always made that assumption myself. Also presumed Imperial Patrol Routes - so the Imperium can keep track of its member systems - some would be pretty static (at least in frequency) and general knowledge (such as looking up big naval fleets is today) - others and specific timing details would be less available.

 

[BP]

Ravenpolar, suggest you post the sub-sector listing like you did on your blog.

Nice blog btw!

 

[ravenpolar]

I see you took me rather literally about bases.

Actually I was itially following BenGunn's comments, but yeah I see what you mean

<snip very useful stuff

Thanks for the advice, i'll try and work out some more routes and change things around like you suggest.

Ravenpolar, suggest you post the sub-sector listing like you did on your blog.
Nice blog btw!

Thanks BP! I've been trying to post quite a bit of stuff for Traveller recently just because its just caught my interest. And I just noticed that my signature is not showing up so most people probably have no idea where the blog is :roll:
http://rpgbraindump.wordpress.com/
And here is the system info....

Name  Location Statistics N S R T I P Remarks Z 
          0101  D5467A8-4             Ag Ga Lt     
          0104  C9D9610-6           P Fl NI     
Cronis 0105  C543989-5   S         Hi In Lt Po     
          0106  X361100-4             Lo Lt NI     
          0108  B889895-6 N S         Ri   
          0201  D769553-B              NI   
          0203  C459510-A         I P NI   
          0205  B333300-A       T     Lo NI Po     
          0208  C2108BA-B             Na   
          0209  X615024-3             IC Lt NI   R 
          0210  C652654-6             NI Po     
          0301  E200124-8             Lo NI Va     
          0302  D73336A-8   S         Lo NI Po     
          0304  C554458-9             Ga NI   
          0307  D9EA87A-7   S         Fl Wa     
          0310  D482202-4   S         Lo Lt NI     
          0401  C560620-5     R       De Lt NI     
          0402  A8A7449-E N     T     Fl Ht NI     
          0404  B553200-8   S         Lo NI Po     
          0405  A61468A-A N     T I   IC NI     
Sareen 0406  E2259DA-2             Hi In Lt     
Pramos 0408  A98A965-F       T I   Hi Ht Wa     
          0504  A855244-C   S R T     Ga Ht Lo NI     
          0508  C988665-6             Ag Ga NI Ri     
          0601  B3338AA-A   S         Na Po   
          0604  X130575-2             De Lt NI Po     
          0607  C676611-5             Ag Ga Lt NI     
Xorel 0610  C867996-9   S     I   Ga Hi     
          0701  C566754-B             Ag Ga Ri     
          0702  D77A535-4   S         Lt NI Wa     
          0707  C874202-6   S     I   Ga Lo NI     
          0708  D20058A-7   S         NI Va     
          0709  C796874-3       T     Ga Lt     
          0801  D140754-C   S       P De Ht Po     
          0804  D120546-7   S         De NI Po     
          0805  E54787A-1             Ga Lt   
          0806  C562453-B   S   T     NI