[ooc]Traveller T20 - Full

[Guest 11456]

What other races are there?

 

[Maerdwyn]

Watus's character reminded me of why I don't really like the use of Social as an attribute. A person's stength, dexiterity etc (barring injury or disease) won't really change much. One's social standing however, can change dramatically.


<snip>

I've been thinking about this, too. Don't need to do this at first (as we've all got enought to worry about using a newish system) but in the D&D games I run, I use a fluctuating reputation system that's based on a character's deeds and where they performed them. Usually, the players would keep short notes on the cities they visited, and include an adjustment to their reputation in that note. To wit:

"Qarrz, Ley Sector. Helped put down a peasant rebellion. (On planet, Soc: +2 among Luriani, -4 among Vargr)"

or something like.

 

[Maerdwyn]

What other races are there?

On the first page of the thread, post 7, you'll see short blurbs on the available races. I guess I also woldn't mind one character fro the Luriani (humans adapted to amphibious living - gills and the like) as they are pretty common in this area of space.

 

[Guest 11456]

I'm sorry I wasn't more specific with my inquiry. On the post that you mention, there is reference to other races that can be approved on a case by case basis. I have seen references to a race known as the Ursa. I was just wondering about other races.

 

[Douane]

Maerdwyn,

did you get my Email?

Just heard from a friend that at least some of those I sent away yesterday seem to have been lost.


Folkert

 

[Maerdwyn]

I'm sorry I wasn't more specific with my inquiry. On the post that you mention, there is reference to other races that can be approved on a case by case basis. I have seen references to a race known as the Ursa. I was just wondering about other races.

Ursa are genetically uplifted bears - they are pretty insular culturally. Being one could be cool, but preprepared for some difficulties based on prejudice, as well as the fact that it can be difficult to find proper equipment for a 3m upright walking bear outside their homeworld (which isn't near where the game will be taking place).

I don't have time this morning to go over these in detail, but there are some - Sydites (humans bred as workers and slaves); Virushi, who to me resemble a bulette from D&D. I guess I'd prefer you stick to one of the humanoid races already detailed so we can get going soon, but If you really want one of these others, let e know and I'll work with you.

 

[Douane]

Watus's character reminded me of why I don't really like the use of Social as an attribute. A person's stength, dexiterity etc (barring injury or disease) won't really change much. One's social standing however, can change dramatically.

Here's the definition from CT: "Social Standing notes the social class and level of society from which the character (and his or her family) come."

The latter part of the quote confirms that the military is considered an important institution, on par with the government and nobility. So military status can be considered to carry social status. In addition, as a fairly senior decorated officer Watus's character would have the access to important officials refered to. If you go by the descriptions, he should have SOC not much shy of nobility, potentially up to 14 depending on how high up the ranks a Force Commander is. A senior Navy officer would easily push 14 I believe.

In CT Army, Marines, Navy and Nobles were among the only classes that had the opportunity during character creation to improve their "Social standing", so I guess the option will be still there somehow in T20, probably during the mustering out. Originally they were also found on the skill tables, where they could be rolled for with increasing chance the higher rank you held. That part probably fell away with the free choosing and determination of skills with class levels.

In addition, I don't think a "Force Commander" is that high to warrant a that kind of social standing. A Major in the Imperium's vast array of troops is not really much. It could be different if he had served within a planetary military organization, but IIRC the Imperial military even shifted troops around on purpose so couldn't bond too tightly with the locals. Guess the slew of civil wars told them it would better that way.


Folkert

 

[Seonaid]

Thanks Folkert!

 

[Guest 11456]

I'll go with Luriani then.

Rolled stats:
Roll 1: 3, [1], 5, 2 = 10.
Roll 2: 2, 5, [1], 3 = 10.
Roll 3: 5, 5, [1], 2 = 12.
Roll 4: 6, 6, [4], 6 = 18.
Roll 5: 5, [3], 5, 4 = 14.
Roll 6: 6, 6, [5], 5 = 17.
Roll 7: 5, 4, [3], 3 = 12.
Roll 8: [2], 6, 6, 5 = 17.

Stats:
STR 10
DEX 18
CON 10
INT 17
WIS 12
CHA 12
EDU 17
SOC 14

Encounters with Aliens 8
Find and/or Explore ancient ruins 7
Trade with distant worlds 5
Political intrigue 6
All out space-based war 6
One-on-one ship-to-ship combat 7
Personal combat (melee, projectile weapons, etc.) 8
Explore uncharted space 9
Crime-based adventures (either perpetrating or solving) 6
Romance 6
Puzzles 9
Humor 6
Moral Dilemmas 8
Other (Research/Invent new things) 7

 

[doghead]

Here's the definition from CT: "Social Standing notes the social class and level of society from which the character (and his or her family) come."

While I agree that an individual's initial social standing comes from their background (the rolled value), so long as it acts as a modifier in current situations, it seems to make more sense to have it reflect the current status of the individual (which could even be the result of actions by his family ie in the case of a noble family stripped of their title). I don't think that there should be any hard and fast rules, rather it should be done on a case by case basis. Maerdwyn's suggestion that a character may have several "effective" SOC ratings also makes sence but adds an extra level of bookkeeping/complexity. In the absence of that, it should represent the status that would be accordered to an individual generally by Imperial society. The average bureaucratic official would have no idea the Captain Jack Bradly (Purple Heart, Distinuished Service Medal) Army (Retired) was born the 5th son of itinerant farm workers. He would simply respond to Jack as a Captain in the Imperial Army.

<snip>

In addition, I don't think a "Force Commander" is that high to warrant a that kind of social standing. A Major in the Imperium's vast array of troops is not really much. It could be different if he had served within a planetary military organization, but IIRC the Imperial military even shifted troops around on purpose so couldn't bond too tightly with the locals. Guess the slew of civil wars told them it would better that way.

I wasn't sure how high up a Force Commander was, but I wasn't suggesting he was 14. However, I do think that a Admiral or General would have at least the clout of a Knight (16). Initially I agreed with you that a Major in the Imperial Forces not being much, but then the size and power of those Forces started to dawn on me as I wondered how many Majors there might be. Size and power bring alot of respect, and I think that the sheer size of the organisation is likely to result in more "formality" in dealings rather than less. SOC is what people use to determin their behaviour when they don't know the other person personally.

I suppose that what I am saying is that IMO, the Military service ranks should be pegged to SOC levels to some degree. And while I would be flattered if everyone (including the GM) agreed with me so we did it, I realise that others may not like the idea. I just like bouncing ideas around and am quite happy to agree to disagree.