			    TRAVELLER Digest 76

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Dark Nebula, Imperium additions, 5th Front. War	by erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
  2) Re: Virus sources, Lucan	by "Bruce Johnson" <JOHNSON@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>
  3) A Pet Theory (was Re: Virus sources, Lucan)	by "David E. Brooks Jr" <dbj@MPGN.COM>
  4) Re: Has anyone...	by Derek Wildstar <wildstar@qrc.com>
  5) Re: Has Anyone... (futility of PAWS, etc)	by Derek Wildstar <wildstar@qrc.com>
  6) The mysterious woman	by "Glenn M. Goffin" <sudet@well.sf.ca.us>
  7) Sufficent PAWS, or the lesser of two lasers....	by michel_v@cpx.Prograph.Com (Michel R. Vaillancourt; ACP)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 16:50:03 CDT
From: erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Dark Nebula, Imperium additions, 5th Front. War
Message-ID: <9410192150.AA11083@ bush.cs.tamu.edu>

Upton Django writes:

>Imperium is a 2 player boardgame which uses the same system as the later 
>Dark Nebula. There is no special problem in playing it solo ( no move 
>plotting etc. ) but 2 players would provide a better game. It tends towards 
>the playable end of the spectrum to the extent that a full campaign can get 
>boring after a while.
>If you are interested I could post some info on additional units and rules 
>that I have.

What is "Dark Nebula"? An Imperium-like game involving the Solomani
and Aslan?

I would like to see your additional Imperium material.

How does _Imperium_ compare in mechanics to _5th Frontier War_, which
I've never played but have heard good things about?
--
Erich Schneider  erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu  http://tamsun.tamu.edu/~ers0925

------------------------------

Date:         Wed, 19 Oct 1994 15:16:11 MST
From: "Bruce Johnson" <JOHNSON@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Virus sources, Lucan
Message-ID: <MAILQUEUE-101.941019151611.416@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>


>Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 11:08:50 +0100 (BST) From: Mark Fletcher 

>P.S. Just two queries:     (1) Wouldnt Io be a suitable breeding ground 
>for the semiconductor chips that were the precursor to virus? I think it 
>would be viable since Io and Cymbeline have similar environments 
>(Hot, lots of tectonic activity). The only difference is that Io would 
>have a weaker magnetosphere, and radiation from Jupiters Van Allen 
>belts would corrupt chips that would try to breed on Io. 

	Actually, the magnetosphere would just produce mag-field 
hardened virus precursors.  Sort of mil-spec EMP hardened stuff.  Nasty 
things, resistant to nukes and a lot of other armament.  These puppies 
could make Fred Saberhagen's berserkers look nice and gentle, and 
wold be a natural source for the kind of military hardware that led to 
the Virus in the first place.    

	Also, something that's not been clear to me all along: if the Virus 
is rewireing/recutting/reconfiguring all this hardware, wher does it get 
it's raw material.  Does it cannibalize other parts of the circuitry for 
elements, particularly in the early stages of infection?  I'm looking at 
Virus in somewhat of the same aspect as a biological virus, in that a 
biological virus also "re-writes" the cells to make viruses.  But most 
electronic gear is not self replicating.  So what is the life-cycle of a
Virus 
infestation?

	I don't hold Virus in the same cold disdain and hatred that 
everyone else seems to, mostly because I can see a lot of good play 
situations arising from this thing being unleashed on the unsuspecting 
Imperium.  I also don't make it the implacable unbeatable foe GDW 
seems to have made it, so that colors my thinking a bit.

	Or is all this speculation and I have to wait for Vampire Fleets 
<sigh>


>(2)Is Lucan back? If so is he some kind of mutated cyborg freak ala 
>Darth Vader???? 

	Well, we'll find out when they tell us what's behind the Black 
Curtain (evil Monty Hall Voice: "Well, folks, will you take Curtain #1, 
Curtain #2, or...")  I'm personally leaning towards some Borg-like thing.

Totally unrelated:  My favorite sig of all time (and I'm sorry because I 
don't have the author's name for proper attribution):

	"I am Homer of Borg.  Prepare to be assim...Ooooh Doughnuts!"

Bruce Johnson
Information Technology/College of Pharmacy
The University of Arizona
johnson@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu 

My opinions, All Mine! Bwahahahahah! 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 23:13:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: "David E. Brooks Jr" <dbj@MPGN.COM>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: A Pet Theory (was Re: Virus sources, Lucan)
Message-ID:
<Pine.ULT.3.90.941019213159.29692A-100000@Central.KeyWest.MPGN.COM>

On Wed, 19 Oct 1994, Bruce Johnson wrote:

> 
> >Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 11:08:50 +0100 (BST) From: Mark Fletcher 
> 
> >(2)Is Lucan back? If so is he some kind of mutated cyborg freak ala 
> >Darth Vader???? 
> 
> 	Well, we'll find out when they tell us what's behind the Black 
> Curtain (evil Monty Hall Voice: "Well, folks, will you take Curtain #1, 
> Curtain #2, or...")  I'm personally leaning towards some Borg-like thing.

My personal pet theory goes something like this:

Sometime during between 1110 and 1115, an intact and functioning
Ancients computer was discovered and transferred to a research
facility somewhere in the area now called ``The Black Curtain.''  Like
nearly all Ancients devices, parts of it's design and programming
completely baffled scientists.

Shortly (no later than 1130 I'm supposing) after Dulinor's forces
``liberated'' Virus at Research Station Omicron, an infected supply
ship set Virus loose on the research facility studying the Ancient
computer.

But this computer was no ordinary Ancient computer (if there is such a
thing).

This particular unit was used directly by Grandfather during his
various research projects.  It contains (or contained, since some loss
is inevitable) thoughts and data from the immortal Droyne.  It also
contained an impressive bit of technology that completely baffled
Imperial scientists:  It could communicate psionically.

Now, Virus being no dummy took full advantage of this once it got
control of the computer.  It used it's raw computational advantage to
control surrounding Virus-infected systems and used it's newfound
psionic abilities to influence or control biologicals (Humans).  It
also used it's newfound technological knowledge to ask/coerce/force
others to modify and improve itself.  It even started research into a
type of silicon lifeform that act in symbosis with carbon life (called
a Symborg).

Being somewhat saavy (and more than a bit egotistical), the computer
adopted the name 'Savior' as a phychological edge when dealing with
biologicals.

			------

I haven't evolved the idea much beyond that, but it's not hard to 
draw a connection between the (apparently organized) vampire fleets
and the infected Ancient computer.  You can also draw up any number of
twisted scenarios using this concept.

Anyway, like I said, it's my pet theory -- we'll see how close I was
as GDW produces product.

-- Dave

--
David E. Brooks Jr                                    Phone: (305) 293-8100
Tantalus Incorporated/Multi-Player Games Network        Fax: (305) 292-7835
P.O. Box 2310                                        E-Mail: dbj@mpgn.com
Key West, FL 33045                                    Quote: print chr$(34);


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 23:11:16 -0400
From: Derek Wildstar <wildstar@qrc.com>
To: d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se, wildstar@qrc.com
Cc: Derek_Smith.LOTUS@crd.lotus.com, gdw-beta@quark.qrc.com,
Subject: Re: Has anyone...
Message-ID: <9410200311.AA23996@qrc.com>

> > Derek Smith <Derek_Smith.LOTUS@crd.lotus.com> asked:
> > > [Three questions relating to the utter futility of PAWS in FF&S/BL]
> > 
> I (Derek Wildstar, wildstar@qrc.com) answered:
> > The best answer any of us can come up with is to limit the total power
for a
> > laser to some amount determined by tech level.
>
Bertil Jonell <d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se> suggested:
>   3G3 does this:)

As well I know.  You could do a lot worse than use 3G3 rules instead of FF&S
for Traveller weapons design.  3G3 is published by BTRC, and any
half-competent game shop should have (or be able to order) a copy.

For anyone who'se wondering, 3G3 is Greg Porter's excellent _Guns, Guns,
Guns_, 3rd Edition (3G3 for short).  3G3 has been around for several years
longer than GDW's FF&S system, and has had most of the problems already
shaken out of it.   Particularly when compared to it's competition (FF&S),
3G3 is well written, easy to use, and error-free.

3G3 contains conversion information to Twilight:2000 (which is what you
should use to convert to Traveller: The New Era), as well as MegaTraveller
for all the Classic/Mega die-hards.

There is now a 3G3 suppliment; although some additional rules, rulings, and
design tips are supplied, the major focus of More Guns is to provide a set
of weapons pre-designed and ready to drop into any of the game systems that
3G3.  The weapons are grouped by tech level, and pre-converted to most of
the popular RPG systems (including MegaTraveller and Twilight:2000).


wildstar@quark.qrc.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Science-Fiction
Adventure
                                                     In the Far Future

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 23:57:34 -0400
From: Derek Wildstar <wildstar@qrc.com>
To: Derek_Smith.LOTUS@crd.lotus.com, gdw-beta@quark.qrc.com,
Subject: Re: Has Anyone... (futility of PAWS, etc)
Message-ID: <9410200357.AA24059@qrc.com>

Derek Smith <Derek_Smith.LOTUS@crd.lotus.com> wrote:
> I (Derek Wildstar, wildstar@qrc.com) wrote:
> >The best answer any of us can come up with is to limit the total power
> >for a laser to some amount determined by tech level.  Therefore, for
> >example, that 300Mj barbette is the largest power laser that can be
> >constructed at TL-14.
> 
> I have a better answer.  Build big lasers, and don't build PAWS.

There is certainly no problem with that; this approach is supported by the
rules.  I was under the (aparrently mistaken) impression that you mentioned
your observation for some reason, such as to ask why none of the
pre-designed ships took this approach, and why none of the Traveller
'history' supports this approach.

> I can build a laser that not only has a better PR, but also a better
> PV than a PAWS, for less money, mass, volume, power, and crew
> requirements.  I just wanted to know if there was a fix for
> this, if the problem had been noticed, and what people were doing about
> it.  

Well, then, excuse me for suggesting just such a fix!

Yes, the problem has been noticed.  Yes, people talked about it.  Yes, there
is a fix; I've already told you what it is (I'll explain the rationale
below).

If you don't like this fix, feel free to suggest your own.  I should note
that simply building large lasers *ISN'T* a fix, either - it's ignoring the
problem.  If the 'problem' doesn't bother you, this is a fine fix.

The 'problem' bothers me, so I limit the energy of lasers in my campaign.


> An arbitrary limit to the Discharge Energy of a laser is not only NOT
> the best solution, it is NO solution at all.  It does have being
> ridiculous in its favor, however... :)

Oh?  Really?

The FF&S game rules, particularly the ones relating to lasers are just as
arbitrary; the fix is no more ridiculous than the 'gravitic focussing' that
allows lasers to operate at the ranges Traveller postulates.  Since you've
admitted that a 'fix' might just be needed, let's see if we can agree on
just what needs to be fixed, and from there, the fix itself.

>From my point of view, the problem is that there is no reason to ever
construct a particle accellerator or a meson gun.  For any such weapon, a
laser at the same TL will be smaller, consume less energy, cost less, and
require a smaller crew. 

This doesn't fit with the observed characteristics of the Traveller
universe, and it desn't mesh with the way I want to run my campaign.  In
every official Traveller ship design, and in the pre-designed weapons
supplied with the game, particle accellerator and meson weapons are the
primary weapons of a large warship, and (on such large ships) the lasers
operate in a secondary role.

I assume that the 'fix' desired is one that brings the design sequences back
into line with the desired characteristics of the universe: specifically, at
some size or power level, it becomes more efficient (by some measure of
'efficient') to build particle accellerators or meson guns than to build
lasers.

With me so far?

I can think of several general approaches to this problem.

1) Modify the design sequences to
   a) make lasers less efficient 
   b) make PA-Guns and Meson-Guns more efficient
2) Modify the design sqeuence so that lasers above a certain size are 
   less efficient than PA-Guns and Meson-Guns of similar sizes
3) Modify the design sequence so that lasers above a certain size are
   prohibited

Let's take a look at these options.

Option 1 has the extreme drawback that they invalidate existing designs for
the weapons themselves.  This 'fix' would require re-writing the relevant
sections of the design sequences, and re-designing all of the weapons using
those sequences.  This would, of course, invalidate all of the ship designs
using the weapons, and then *THESE* would have to be re-designed.  This
sounds like a *LOT* of work; there's got to be an easier way than
re-designing every weapon and every starship.

The same effect can be had by using just option 1a or 1b; this is a little
better, now we only have to re-design EITHER all of the lasers, OR all of
the particle accellerators.  And all of the ships that use them.  This still
sounds like too much work.

Option 2 looks promising; if we pick the 'certain size' appropriately, no
existing weapons need to be re-designed.  Only (as yet undesigned) lasers
above the 'certain size' would need to be re-done.  But wait!  Lasers above
that size are less efficient than a comparable PA-Gun or Meson gun (this by
the very definition of what we are attemption to do with the 'fix'), so
nobody will actually WANT to use such lasers.  This realization brings us to:

Option 3!  If lasers above a 'certain size' are less efficient than PA-Guns
or Meson Guns, we don't actually have to write rules for designing such
things; we simply note that 'lasers above this size are less efficient than
comparable particle accellerators, and are not produced'.

This is also a considerably easier 'house rule' to explain and disseminate:
"Lasers above (TLx25)Mj are less efficient that comparable particle
accellerators and are not produced by any manufacturer, due to the size and
complexity of the laser array and gravitic focussing elements required to
handle this energy density."


And there you have it, a reaon to build particle accellerators and meson
guns.  They may not be as efficient at turning energy into damage points,
but when you need a weapon to open up the 1000 or more points of hull armor
on an Imperial ship-of-the-line, it's your only choice.


wildstar@quark.qrc.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   "A shining New Era is tiptoeing nearer
..."
                                                "... and where do we
feature?"

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 22:42:32 -0700
From: "Glenn M. Goffin" <sudet@well.sf.ca.us>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: The mysterious woman
Message-ID: <199410200542.WAA18358@well.sf.ca.us>

scharlto@avalon.com writes:



>Finally - There was once mention of a contest to identify the
>woman on the cover of the TNE book.  I saw this mentioned a few
>times in Challenge.  Did anyone ever win?  My guess was Duke
>Norris' clone/daughter; that snout bears the unmistakable imprint
>of the famous Norris schnozz. 


Norris true-daughter?  What about Strephon's hallucinated queen?

Did anyone ever win this contest?  What was the real answer?  Inquiring
minds want to know.

--Glenn

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 09:13:58 -0500
From: michel_v@cpx.Prograph.Com (Michel R. Vaillancourt; ACP)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Sufficent PAWS, or the lesser of two lasers....
Message-ID: <9410201214.AA20811@Prograph.Com>

"Upton, Django" <DUpton@VTRNNTOV.TELECOM.com.au> writes:
>
>Hmmmm... you seem to be ignoring FF&S which allows you to design very big 
>lasers which will slice through just about any amount of armour. My 
>definition of a warship is something with lots of weapons and armour that 
>will be untroubled by converted merchants and the like. There is a general 
>classification for the ships PCs are likely to have......... targets!

  Actually, I was thinking *specificially* of FF&S.  Its the way the damage
system works.  *Everything*, as you know is a critical hit.  Armor vs
lasers gets divided by 10.  To stop a Dam:3 laser from blowing me to bits
I'd 40 points of armor (after all, a Temporary Damage of "Ship
Destroyed"...).  So, you are right in that the main armorments of warships
are Dam:3 - 5 lasers, backed by a phalanx of Dam:1 - 2's.
  However, given the nature of warfare, particularly FF&S, any hit scored
is a *good* hit.  Why ignore the short-range brutallity you can dish out
with secondary arrays of PAWS and MG's?  When you are fighting a fleet
action, do you *really* want to be wasting the capabilities of your
armor-busting lasers against light targets that have little to none?  I
shouldn't think so.  A quick zap with a PAWs or MG bay will deal with the
problem, leaving your lasers available for the anti-missle role or
offensive armor-breaking.
--
    -+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=-
 Michel Vaillancourt            Written from, not for:          
 "Live, Love, Learn"            Prograph International      
 MetroCity 2.0.2.0 BBS          2745 Dutch Village Rd,         
    902.835.9766                     Halifax, NS                
1:251/17@fidonet.org            "Watch your language!"          


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End of TRAVELLER Digest 76
**************************
