TRAVELLER Digest 489

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Jump-3 with a jump-2 ship by Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk>
  2) Re: TRAVELLER digest 488 by aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
  3) Change of Address - MINE! by cyhiggin@usa.pipeline.com (Dragoness)
  4) Tigress vs. Thyo Supud by "Glenn M. Goffin" <ggoffin@igc.apc.org>
  5) [T487] Remnant's Guide by jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com (JEFF ZEITLIN)
  6) Re: TRAVELLER digest 484 by library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)
  7) Re: TRAVELLER digest 488 by library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)
  8) Re: TRAVELLER digest 488 by library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)

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Date: Sun, 19 Nov 1995 14:07:43 +0100 (MET)
From: Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Jump-3 with a jump-2 ship
Message-ID: <199511191307.OAA05051@embla.diku.dk>

Franklin Cain writes:
> A major problem faced by the Reformation Coalition is the
> restriction on travel within the RC imposed by the astrography.  For
> example, for a typical jump-2 ship (such as a far trader or a
> scout/courier) takes eight jumps to travel from Oriflamme to Spencer (see
> figure 1 below), crossing the RC border to do so, even though Spencer was
> only three parsecs away!  If the same ship goes from Baldur to Helios, the
> trip involves four jumps, again crossnig the RC border, and again the
> destination was only three parsecs away.  Going from Nike Nimbus to the RC
> Navy HQ at Aurora takes four jumps, once again crossing the RC border (but
> this time, our destination was four parsecs away).

3- and 4-parsec gaps are only a problem for jump-2 ships if they jump from
an uncivilized star system. Otherwise you simply rent a drop tank from the
local drop tank dealership and jump to a spot between the two systems,
arriving with your tanks full and ready to proceed with the second jump
to your destination. If that isn't possible the merchant can install
collapsible fuel tanks in his hold. This will cut into his cargo space,
but if the alternative is an 8-jump detour, there's still a hefty profit
to be made.



      Hans Rancke
University of Copenhagen
     rancke@diku.dk
------------
        "The referee should determine the nature of subsequent
         events based on the individual situation."
                                _76 Patrons_, p. 8


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

Date: Sun, 19 Nov 95 16:32 GMT
From: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 488
Message-ID: <memo.549405@cix.compulink.co.uk>

In-Reply-To: <199511190909.EAA06242@Ambassador.MPGN.COM>


  > From: "Glenn M. Goffin" <ggoffin@igc.apc.org>
  >
  > . One thing I
  > > miss (from Path of Tears too) are Sector maps - Subsector maps are
  > > okay, but you really need larger ones to get a feel for the shape
  > > of things. It's like having maps of each individual state, and
  > > trying to figure out what the USA looks like. I guess it's a
  > > photocopier/scissors/selotape job...
  >
  > It's worth the effort.  I enlarged the Spinward Marches map from
  > Megatraveller so that the subsectors are the same size as in
  > Supplement 3, and it's a very useful playing and campaign designing
  > aid.

Oh, I agree - probably the most useful play aid I've used is a photocopy
(actually several) of the Solomani Rim map in the centre of Supplement 10.
I used it to show the new border as the War continued around them, the
players used it for planning (escape) routes, etc etc. Can't understand
why they haven't included them this time - it's only another page.

  > It's also easier to read (black on white) than the sector map
  > that came with Megatraveller (or the Domain of Deneb map that came
  > with one of the Megatraveller Journal issues).

TNE seems to have broken the tradition of including a big sector map -
Deluxe CT had one, MT boxed set had one, even the computeer games had one!

---===---
Andrew Boulton

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

Date: Sun, 19 Nov 1995 11:45:55 -0500
From: cyhiggin@usa.pipeline.com (Dragoness)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Change of Address - MINE!
Message-ID: <9511191645.AA25052@>


To: Everyone I know (I think)

This is it! My official change-of-address announcement.
I'm finally dumping aol.com for:

cyhiggin@usa.pipeline.com

Please change your address books, CC: lists, and scrawled
post-it notes accordingly...

--------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a test of a new provider. I like it, I'll prolly keep it. Address:
cyhiggin@usa.pipeline.com

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

Date:          Sun, 19 Nov 1995 17:19:17 +0000
From: "Glenn M. Goffin" <ggoffin@igc.apc.org>
To: xboat@MPGN.COM, traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Tigress vs. Thyo Supud
Message-ID: <199511200120.RAA20808@igc3.igc.apc.org>

Maybe those Tigress-class dreadnaughts are trying to keep
the Thyo Supud from returning to the Andor and Candory.  I
didn't read the entire entry in Book 7, Merchant Prince.
It notes that, while "Thyo Supud was formed by a Droyne
kroyloss ... from Andor (0236 Spinward Marches) and
operates a single free trader ... along the Spinward Main
of the Marches," its home port is "Binges (1635 Spinward
Marches)."

So maybe that kroyloss can't go home again.  On
the other hand, maybe Binges is better positioned
commercially.

--Glenn

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

Date: Sun, 19 Nov 95 00:03:00 -0500
From: jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com (JEFF ZEITLIN)
To: TRAVELLER@MPGN.COM
Subject: [T487] Remnant's Guide
Message-ID: <8B54003.0100061947.uuout@execnet.com>


John Bogan wrote...

T::>Jeff Zeitlin wrote:
 ::>  > It is for this reason that we have decided to expand the scope of
 ::>  > the RICE Papers, to allow our researchers and reporter to write
 ::>  > on any aspect of Imperial culture (to which we of the Regency are
 ::>  > the heirs) that they feel worthy of note - from topics as simple

T::>Damn! Beaten to the punch! Oh, well, here it is anyway:

 Hey, great minds think alike... :)


T::>One of the problems that's acknowledged to have developed in
 ::>Traveller is the fact that players are often too well informed -- having
 ::>access to GM materials (and thus knowledge) that CHARACTERS
 ::>would not have. One way around this is to make it a little more clear
 ::>about what sort of things characters would actually know, given
 ::>their circumstances.

T::>To this end, let's start something in the RC:

 I think it's a great idea, and it's not really a question of
 "beaten to the punch."  The Regency Institute for Cultural
 Education is (within the Traveller universe) an organization that
 is disseminating information about a living culture, to the
 members of that culture.  What the Remnant's List (I'm uneasy
 about that title, but can't think of a better one) does, is
 provide information about a dead culture to members of a living
 descendant culture.  That's two different missions, although there
 is some conceptual overlap.  The nearest equivalent in Regency
 space would be if there was an organization that focussed on
 cultural information pertaining to the Ziru Sirka (the first one,
 not the Breakup-era Ziru Sirkaa) or to the Rule of Man (aka
 Ramshackle Empire), and not to the Long Night or Third Imperium.

 Go for it, with my encouragement.

==========================================================================
Jeff Zeitlin                                      jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com
---
  OLXWin 1.00a  Chief Archivist, Regency Institute for Cultural Education

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

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1995 17:04:28 -0600
From: library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 484
Message-ID: <199511210301.RAA05713@babylon5.dss.gov.au>

Dear Folks -

In digest 484, Shalom asked:
>I like that!  you should add it up to your next RICE paper, eh?
>
>On the same note, did anyone attempt to design a starport installtion
>using FF&S?  Lets say a class-D port?

Andrew Madden and myself created full stats for Tavonni's class-B
starport, using Striker I rules, way back in 1988. We even armoured
the thing to factor-60 all round (as I recall, factor-90 for the
control tower). Who needs blast berms? Just build your 'port using
bonded-SD.

The whole thing only cost 3,000 MCr. Cheap at half the price.

(Yes there IS a Tavonni RICE Paper - hopefully by next week!)

- Hyphen
 (David Jaques-Watson)


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

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1995 17:26:10 -0600
From: library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 488
Message-ID: <199511210323.RAA05733@babylon5.dss.gov.au>

Dear Folks -

1.QUERY: MINIMUM LAW LEVELS

Do this premise and conclusion sound reasonable:
Even a law level 0 world must adhere to Imperial law in terms of trade.
Therefore, this means that even law-0 worlds will have customs checks for nukes,
illegal drugs etc.

2.FUEL TANK PLAY AREAS

In my campaign, I have said that the fuel tanks are compartmentalised. That is,
the fuel is stored in multiple tanks which are hooked up to each other. This
idea can also been seen in the deck-plans by Seeker (I don't have any, I've just
read the ads). This makes CT fuel loss easier to understand - you lose 10 tons
of fuel per hit, because each compartment holds 10 tons. It also makes sense
when describing things to players:
"Damage control has registered a hit in compartment 3 of the primary starboard
tank".
"OK, I'll shut down the valves to that compartment, and re-route fuel flow
around the breach".

3.JUPITER IN RATS AND CATS

In digest 481, Alvin pointed out an error in Rats and Cats. Note that both
Jupiter AND Saturn are Large GG's, as noted originally in _Scouts: Book 6_.
Note also that the UPPs for Venus and Titan are incomplete; both should include
"An" in the "Remarks" column (see text, p5 and 7).

4.ASLAN NEW LORDS AND THE REGENCY

In digest 481, Alvin said:
>"we are both stronger if we're united than if we remain
>separated, and the New Era requires a united stand between equals"

Interesting - and probably valid - philosophy. But very Star Trek (Federation
vs Klingons), wouldn't you say?

As to incorporating the Aslan systems, here's a quote from the RSB:
"For what are the Marches, after all, if not a mini-Imperium?... The Third
Imperium was a macrocosm of the Spinward Marches"

I think that this means that the New Lords will be seen by GDW to be the
equivalent of the Hierate, in small scale, as the view the Regency to be
the Imperium, in small scale. I don't think the Aslan will be assimilated
that easily ("Resistance is NOT futile!").

5.EFATE

In digest 481, Alvin posted his latest version of F8. Some points:

a. The Trade column of the UPP should read: Hi In An Rw:Z
b. You may want to put in the 1117 stats AND the 1201 stats (like Michael
Bailey's papers). The RICE keepers (Jeff Zeitland et al) may want to make
this part of a new standard.
d. The highest that the Medical TL can be is the Energy TL of 15. Unless a
special case, the Medical TL should be 15, not 16 (_World Builder's Handbook_,
p84). The Novelty tech level should be 15, as it (in this case) represents the
highest "achievement" TL (_WBH_, p86). Another option (possibly better, who
knows) is to raise Energy to 16, raise Novelty to 16, and keep Medical as it is.

6.RSB ACQUISITION

James Dempsey, are you based in Canberra? The Games Cupboard in Woden may still
have some copies.

7.      MAPS

In digest 488, Glenn said:
>It's worth the effort.  I enlarged the Spinward Marches map
>from Megatraveller so that the subsectors are the same size
>as in Supplement 3, and it's a very useful playing and

I enlarged the Marches to the same size as in the 5FW boxed set, and
can now play the 5FW across the entire Marches!

I also know that many people (myself included) copied the entire
_Atlas of the Imperium_ and stuck it together. I also added the
Xboat routes (from the _Traveller's Digest_) and now have an almost-complete
net across Known Space.

- Hyphen
(David Jaques-Watson)


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

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1995 17:47:02 -0600
From: library@dss.gov.au (DSS Library)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 488
Message-ID: <199511210344.RAA05763@babylon5.dss.gov.au>

Dear Folks -

Here is a teaser for Tavonni. Andrew Madden and I are still paring down our
material in order to shoe-horn it into a RICE Paper. In the meantime, enjoy
a short tour!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Welcome to Tavonni - Centre of the Marches!

              Tourist Brocheure [FIRST DRAFT]

                Sponsored by Caradoc LIC
            (a Ling-Standard Products company)
                   and Menelvagor Inc

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Tavonni - Centre of the Marches!

We hope you enjoy your stay in this unique and fascinating world. We hope that
this booklet serves as a guide, to help you become acquainted with Tavonni.

PLANETARY HIGHLIGHTS

Tavonni Safari Park (TASP): this island has been set aside for the exclusive use
of safaris. These include both camera shoots and big-game hunting expeditions.
Much of the more exotic of Tavonni's wildlife can be seen inhabiting the island.

Tavonni Scout Base: A recent construction, this fully fledged base is open for
inspection once a month. Visitors are able to tour the landing pads, workshops,
barracks, and other areas that make up a modern Scout facility.

FACILITIES

Tavonni boasts many facilities for the discerning traveller.

BEOWULF STARPORT

At TL 15, Tavonni's starport offers the best facilities a high-tech world can
offer. With space for 40,000 tons of starships, modern replenishment facilities,
refined fuel, linkage to the world-wide computer net, easy passenger and cargo
access, Beowulf Starport is the best B-class starport within 10 parsecs.

HOTELS

Hotel-At-the-Edge-of-the-World: this complex was constructed in line with the
low-key nature of development on Tavonni, blending into the natural surroundings
at the edge of The Plateau. The hotel overlaps the edge of the plateau, giving
its patrons a commanding view over the jungle, located two kilometres below.

Starport Hotel: This is the oldest hotel on Tavonni, and is immediately adjacent
to the starport, within the extrality line. This hotel caters specially for
commercial travellers, as it has hookups into the world-wide net, and is closely
tied to the starport. A large arrival/departure board in the lobby, plus
extensive alcoves hooked into the trade and commerce network, emphasise the
hotel's concern with travel and trade.

TASP Beach Resort: As the only commercial construction allowed on the Tavonni
Safari Park, the Resort offers luxurious accommodation right on the waterfront.
Created to resemble a primitive village, the resort's buildings house
state-of-the-art entertainment facilities, able to satisfy the most jaded
traveller.

T.A.S. Hostel: A must-see for T.A.S. members, the Tavonni Hostel is one of the
most advanced and luxurious of its type in the Spinward Marches.

TRANSPORTATION

Beowulf Airport: The major airport on Tavonni is located next to Beowulf Down.
Commercial grav-liners can whisk passengers to the other side of the planet in a
matter of hours. Additionally, those who wish to fly aircraft are also available
to use this facility to fly their own aircraft or rented ones. Rental aircraft
cater for all types of enthusiast, from old-fashioned biplanes to jet fighters.

Flitters: Grav flitters are available for hire at Tamoachan City. They range
from light transport for local touring, right up to speeder-class vehicles for
high-speed transport.

Monorail: All major centres on The Plateau are connected by a monorail link.
Fast, economical and quiet, the monorail is the major people-mover on Tavonni.
Passengers arriving by air or from space can be quickly whisked away to their
destinations.

COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

Warehousing: Available for rent, Tavonni's commercial warehouses contain
advanced environmental equipment capable of reproducing virtually any
environment required for cargo storage.

Lone Scout Enterprises: This company runs the spaceship construction and
starship repair yards adjacent to Beowulf Down. The facility can repair or
replace virtually any damaged starship components. The yards also build
spaceships, specialising in small craft. They have rapidly become known as
leaders in this area of ship construction.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, there it is. If you feel it has been written by a tourist operator eager
to intice and impress potential travellers, then I've written it correctly.

Note that it is not complete. For example, I have not mentioned the Tavonni
Convention Centre, "designed with the executive board member in mind. Here,
a company's officials from across the subsector can meet face-to-face, after
having been transported to Tavonni via luxury liner..."

- Hyphen
(David Jaques-Watson)


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End of TRAVELLER Digest 489
***************************
