Cybertech.. How do you handle it in CT?

[leighton]

To answer some questions.

Ran:
I'm afraid I don't have my own site set up. I've toyed with it in the past, if only to promote some of my own "house rules". I produced an outline of an RPG adaptable to many different genres, eras, settings, styles, etc. I'm not ashamed to say I was heavily influenced by many games to the point were I modified some of the best ideas and included elements of those. The web site idea is something I've been thinking about again. Once I get the scanning and distribution of the SGK reissue out of the way .... who knows.

Kafka/Signless:
The jumpgates issue for a Traveller shouldn't be an problem. We explored ideas in the first issue of Signal-Gk with article by Duncan Law-Green called "Stargates and Jumpsails" I believe. Although not on a scale of the FS jumpgates...
There's no reason why a offshoot of the solomani couldn't be out there on the Rim using technology from an older race. I always got the impression that before jump-drive (and indeed during the early years) there were a few 'generation ships' sent out.

Although the thread has gone off on a slight tangent (like they do), the cross-over theme is appropriate as I've always pinched stuff from other games if there were good ideas and stories, e.g. using Cyberpunk where Traveller was short on cybertech. Saves me some work. Even if we/I did put a couple of articles in our own SGK.

Do I remember correctly that DGP had some cybertech rules under the heading "Bionics" (or something similar) in an issue or two of "Traveller's Digest"?

 

[leighton]

To answer some questions.

Ran:
I'm afraid I don't have my own site set up. I've toyed with it in the past, if only to promote some of my own "house rules". I produced an outline of an RPG adaptable to many different genres, eras, settings, styles, etc. I'm not ashamed to say I was heavily influenced by many games to the point were I modified some of the best ideas and included elements of those. The web site idea is something I've been thinking about again. Once I get the scanning and distribution of the SGK reissue out of the way .... who knows.

Kafka/Signless:
The jumpgates issue for a Traveller shouldn't be an problem. We explored ideas in the first issue of Signal-Gk with article by Duncan Law-Green called "Stargates and Jumpsails" I believe. Although not on a scale of the FS jumpgates...
There's no reason why a offshoot of the solomani couldn't be out there on the Rim using technology from an older race. I always got the impression that before jump-drive (and indeed during the early years) there were a few 'generation ships' sent out.

Although the thread has gone off on a slight tangent (like they do), the cross-over theme is appropriate as I've always pinched stuff from other games if there were good ideas and stories, e.g. using Cyberpunk where Traveller was short on cybertech. Saves me some work. Even if we/I did put a couple of articles in our own SGK.

Do I remember correctly that DGP had some cybertech rules under the heading "Bionics" (or something similar) in an issue or two of "Traveller's Digest"?

 

[Simone]

I, an ancient (in the flesh) old Traveller, but very new to the 'net, leap in to the fray...

From "The Stars My Destination", by Alfred Bester, a very highly readable yarn, a suggested framework for the requested mods. To wit, Commando Modification. In the story, Mars Commandos are wired for speed, neural pathways rewired, sub processors, etc. allowing (in game terms) the combat benefit of slow drug, but very quick acting (sans turn delays, sans medical injection of drugs etc.).

Similar duration of effect, and character may "turn off" the effect at will, processors powered by a "battery".

The down side is, that if you are "shocked out", the battery runs down. (Character becomes "unconscious")- You really want to turn this thing off after using it! Or, if the char. goes negative hits (in campaigns which do not have death at 0 hit points) you suffer twice the "bleed out" effect whilst unconscious. In the story, our hero passed out in a high G maneuver, and was ... ah well read the story. There was no other deleterious side effect (e.g. - d6 of damage), it was Illegal and Impossible to get (government monopoly), and suppressed knowledge - mustered out Commandos with the Mod. were "conditioned" to forget their Mod. In addition to Law Level problems.

By the Way (btw?) it is a pleasure to "meet" you all. Enjoying the thread.

the sojourner

 

[Simone]

I, an ancient (in the flesh) old Traveller, but very new to the 'net, leap in to the fray...

From "The Stars My Destination", by Alfred Bester, a very highly readable yarn, a suggested framework for the requested mods. To wit, Commando Modification. In the story, Mars Commandos are wired for speed, neural pathways rewired, sub processors, etc. allowing (in game terms) the combat benefit of slow drug, but very quick acting (sans turn delays, sans medical injection of drugs etc.).

Similar duration of effect, and character may "turn off" the effect at will, processors powered by a "battery".

The down side is, that if you are "shocked out", the battery runs down. (Character becomes "unconscious")- You really want to turn this thing off after using it! Or, if the char. goes negative hits (in campaigns which do not have death at 0 hit points) you suffer twice the "bleed out" effect whilst unconscious. In the story, our hero passed out in a high G maneuver, and was ... ah well read the story. There was no other deleterious side effect (e.g. - d6 of damage), it was Illegal and Impossible to get (government monopoly), and suppressed knowledge - mustered out Commandos with the Mod. were "conditioned" to forget their Mod. In addition to Law Level problems.

By the Way (btw?) it is a pleasure to "meet" you all. Enjoying the thread.

the sojourner

 

[signless]

Welcome to the boards, Soliurnare! Great idea. I've used "Tully/Nomad" in my Solomani Rim adventures for years, now.
IMTU, the Rim is THE place for bio/cyber coolness, especially along the outer frontier. I've been tinkering around with throwing in the "Sauron Supermen" from the War World cycle, too, although the New Men seem to fit that bill pretty nicely (could do with some tinkering, though...)

 

[signless]

Welcome to the boards, Soliurnare! Great idea. I've used "Tully/Nomad" in my Solomani Rim adventures for years, now.
IMTU, the Rim is THE place for bio/cyber coolness, especially along the outer frontier. I've been tinkering around with throwing in the "Sauron Supermen" from the War World cycle, too, although the New Men seem to fit that bill pretty nicely (could do with some tinkering, though...)

 

[jwdh71]

Solomani space is indeed a good place to run with biomods, cyberware, and uplifted species. The Solomani were always portrayed as being more advanced than the Imperium in these areas anyway, and they have less of a cultural bias against them as well, being uninfluencd by the culturally conservative Vilani.
In one game set on the rimward area of the Solomani Confederation, I played a Solomani Clone Trooper, the pinnacle of Solomani genetics and cloning technology. Basically they took a pure-strain Solomani, of superior genetic, physical, and mental capabilities, then gene-modded his DNA for enhanced endurance dexterity and strength. The resulting genes were then cloned into armies, differentiated by the color of skin (an artificial gene was inserted to provide the alternate skin coloration). My character was a former member of the Dark Blue Army, which made his skin color dark blue, of course. He was demobilized from service due to a battlefield injury, which cost him his arm, which was replaced by a spare from a KIA in the same battle (incidently a good source of spare parts for clone trooper armies, since there would be no rejection). It was interesting to play because of the way the Referee set it up. Solomani propaganda proclaimed them the epitome of Solomani genetics, pure Terran humans, yet they were basically slaves to the Confederation.

 

[jwdh71]

Solomani space is indeed a good place to run with biomods, cyberware, and uplifted species. The Solomani were always portrayed as being more advanced than the Imperium in these areas anyway, and they have less of a cultural bias against them as well, being uninfluencd by the culturally conservative Vilani.
In one game set on the rimward area of the Solomani Confederation, I played a Solomani Clone Trooper, the pinnacle of Solomani genetics and cloning technology. Basically they took a pure-strain Solomani, of superior genetic, physical, and mental capabilities, then gene-modded his DNA for enhanced endurance dexterity and strength. The resulting genes were then cloned into armies, differentiated by the color of skin (an artificial gene was inserted to provide the alternate skin coloration). My character was a former member of the Dark Blue Army, which made his skin color dark blue, of course. He was demobilized from service due to a battlefield injury, which cost him his arm, which was replaced by a spare from a KIA in the same battle (incidently a good source of spare parts for clone trooper armies, since there would be no rejection). It was interesting to play because of the way the Referee set it up. Solomani propaganda proclaimed them the epitome of Solomani genetics, pure Terran humans, yet they were basically slaves to the Confederation.

 

[Simone]

Signless, jwdh71

Ah, yes "Nomad" - an old favorite. The SolSector seems to be the happenin' place for biomods / geneering / generally pushing the biological front.

Sounds like replicant technology (ala Bladerunner), fits the overall sinister and street level feel of it anyway.

Actually, you've given me the idea I needed - Reaver's Deep, Carillian Assembly were heavily enfluenced by Terran colonisation during 1st Interstellar - they are the bad guys IMTU - I suspect their elite/secret strike arm might be what you good gents are describing. Good stuff.

Gimme more.

the sojourner

 

[Simone]

Signless, jwdh71

Ah, yes "Nomad" - an old favorite. The SolSector seems to be the happenin' place for biomods / geneering / generally pushing the biological front.

Sounds like replicant technology (ala Bladerunner), fits the overall sinister and street level feel of it anyway.

Actually, you've given me the idea I needed - Reaver's Deep, Carillian Assembly were heavily enfluenced by Terran colonisation during 1st Interstellar - they are the bad guys IMTU - I suspect their elite/secret strike arm might be what you good gents are describing. Good stuff.

Gimme more.

the sojourner

 

[mike wightman]

Just a little something from the real world about a neural interface , Traveller TL14 I believe

 

[mike wightman]

Just a little something from the real world about a neural interface , Traveller TL14 I believe

 

[endersig]

Originally posted by Lord Iron Wolf:
Let 'em have it...then let them have the true effects of The Six Million Dollar Man. Faster reflexes should allow you to shatter his body faster. Any faster than a human can do should start to strain his tendons and finally shatter his bones. Sub-dermal armor, sure, how does heat escape? Let his core temperature hit 106 degrees Farenheit and see what his survival chances are. Micro electronics to the brain. Let those electro currents start interfering with the brain chemistry and produce epilepsly like symptoms.
Have Fun >

Lord Iron Wolf

Naw... there is a so much better aproach to this... Lets see, you just bought subdermal armor equal to that of mesh?.... suddenly, it seems like everyone in the universe has a FGMP-15... go figure...

 

[endersig]

Originally posted by Lord Iron Wolf:
Let 'em have it...then let them have the true effects of The Six Million Dollar Man. Faster reflexes should allow you to shatter his body faster. Any faster than a human can do should start to strain his tendons and finally shatter his bones. Sub-dermal armor, sure, how does heat escape? Let his core temperature hit 106 degrees Farenheit and see what his survival chances are. Micro electronics to the brain. Let those electro currents start interfering with the brain chemistry and produce epilepsly like symptoms.
Have Fun >

Lord Iron Wolf

Naw... there is a so much better aproach to this... Lets see, you just bought subdermal armor equal to that of mesh?.... suddenly, it seems like everyone in the universe has a FGMP-15... go figure...

 

[Ran Targas]

A random thought:

Biotech cyberware - biological interfaces grown insitu to control synthesized organic muscles and tendons. Allows for extensive alterations without the need for genetic manipulation.

I know it's a concept close to cloned parts but the difference is that these parts are tougher, stronger, and better in most ways to your cloned flesh. Think of Blade Runner's Replicants; synthetic humans with designer DNA. Now you don't have to start in the womb to be like Superman, you can do it today!

Have the victim undergo special preparatory surgery (i.e. amputations) then they sit in a tub of goop until the wetware interface is generated, then the synthetic limb can be attached and fused with the body. Everything neat and tidy, no batteries, no wires, no rust!

 

[Ran Targas]

A random thought:

Biotech cyberware - biological interfaces grown insitu to control synthesized organic muscles and tendons. Allows for extensive alterations without the need for genetic manipulation.

I know it's a concept close to cloned parts but the difference is that these parts are tougher, stronger, and better in most ways to your cloned flesh. Think of Blade Runner's Replicants; synthetic humans with designer DNA. Now you don't have to start in the womb to be like Superman, you can do it today!

Have the victim undergo special preparatory surgery (i.e. amputations) then they sit in a tub of goop until the wetware interface is generated, then the synthetic limb can be attached and fused with the body. Everything neat and tidy, no batteries, no wires, no rust!

 

[Nurd_boy]

I would think the general bias against psionics (and the 'enhancements'it gives) in the imperium wold apply to cyberware also...replacing a limb lost to damage is one thing, but an extra-strong limb is creepy...

follow what mean?

 

[Nurd_boy]

I would think the general bias against psionics (and the 'enhancements'it gives) in the imperium wold apply to cyberware also...replacing a limb lost to damage is one thing, but an extra-strong limb is creepy...

follow what mean?

 

[kafka47]

Nurd_boy,

I think that you underestimate how common mechanical limb replacement is going to become. The 3I other than in parts of the Rim where the SSM has gained the upper ground...bionics is commonplace.

However, it is used for medical purposes almost exclusively. Augmenting the human form is considered to be a matter of taste. It does not speak highly of a Noble, if he would enhance his/her prowseness in dueling but nothing would stop that same noble getting a mem chip that would teach her/him Zhodani in weeks instead of months for an upcoming diplomatic mission.

The secret to cyberware is balance the needs of the game with the needs of the referee. If players go heavily into cyber enhancements then you can bet the opposition will as well...then you end up with a game of cyberpunk 2020. Not a bad thing, as S-GK proves but be prepared as a referee to offer even greater challenges.

 

[kafka47]

Nurd_boy,

I think that you underestimate how common mechanical limb replacement is going to become. The 3I other than in parts of the Rim where the SSM has gained the upper ground...bionics is commonplace.

However, it is used for medical purposes almost exclusively. Augmenting the human form is considered to be a matter of taste. It does not speak highly of a Noble, if he would enhance his/her prowseness in dueling but nothing would stop that same noble getting a mem chip that would teach her/him Zhodani in weeks instead of months for an upcoming diplomatic mission.

The secret to cyberware is balance the needs of the game with the needs of the referee. If players go heavily into cyber enhancements then you can bet the opposition will as well...then you end up with a game of cyberpunk 2020. Not a bad thing, as S-GK proves but be prepared as a referee to offer even greater challenges.