Far Frontiers Sector

[theSea]

I've noticed that several of the FASA CT adventures I've recently acquired are set in the Far Frontiers sector. Did FASA (or anyone else for that matter) ever publish {canon} details on that sector???

While I'm on the topic, anyone have any reasons as to why Far Traveller magazine folded after just two issues? W. Keith seemed so positive in his editorials...

I know, I know, this is all ancient history. Indulge an old man. Scary to think that there are some on these boards who probably weren't even born when these events took place

 

[T. Foster]

Part of Far Frontiers sector (the rimward half) was detailed in Ares magazine 'special issue #2' c. 1983 (I don't have this) and later reprinted in an early issue of The Traveller Chronicle (#2 or #3 IIRC). The rest of the sector (the coreward half) was detailed in a later issue of TTC by a different author (James Kundert aka GypsyComet). My TTCs are all packed away in storage so I can't give any more specifics, but someone else (GypsyComet?) surely can if you need it.

As for why "Far Traveller" only lasted 2 issues, I assume it's because FASA decided to drop Traveller and focus on their own games (Star Trek, Battledroids (later Battletech), etc.). Whether the Keiths knew this was coming or got cut off at the knees by FASA I have no idea (but note that their Reaver's Deep coverage continued unabated in their Gamelords products).

 

[trader jim]

On a side note to this thread....try to find as much Keith Brothers material as you can, GREAT STUFF...yuo cant go wrong, you will always be able to use it!!!

 

[Ganidirsii O'Flynn]

Capt. Gani's gonna back up ol' Trader Jim on that one! Some of the personal art isn't my style, but their city-scapes, street scenes, and starships are first-rate! Not to mention that they had a fair hand at adventure writing too...

Fact is, I really miss Will Keith. I really liked their "Fifth Foreign Legion" series. Liked it so much that I included a mis-jumped battalion of the the Legion in the TOE for the Tralyn Domain Marche aux Mort!

 

[ozbonius_2000]

Originally Posted by theSea:
I've noticed that several of the FASA CT adventures I've recently acquired are set in the Far Frontiers sector. Did FASA (or anyone else for that matter) ever publish {canon} details on that sector???

I am looking at picking up a few of the FASA CT Adventures, namely the "Skyraiders" series. Does anyone know if they are any good?

 

[T. Foster]

Originally posted by GreyHawk:
I am looking at picking up a few of the FASA CT Adventures, namely the "Skyraiders" series. Does anyone know if they are any good?

The Sky Raiders trilogy are arguably the best adventures ever published for Traveller. Certainly they're among my all-time Top 5 (alongside Twlight's Peak, The Traveller Adventure, Lords of Thunder, and Chamax Plague/Horde -- note the Keith brothers' involvement in 4 of the 5). They were published right around the time Raiders of the Lost Ark was released, and they have a lot of that same feel -- epic scope, archeologist adventurers, ancient ruins, long-buried secrets, nefarious antagonistic organization, wider political implications, etc. -- and even if you never get to actually play them they make a great read.

 

[trader jim]

I just received THE ARTIC ENVIRONMENT by non- othe than J. Andrew Keith...issued by Cargonaut press, off of EBAY, for $9.00!!!....WOW...just full of Tasty Traveller Goodness - "CLASSIC D6"
YAAAAA!!!!! opens new Worlds!!!!!

and i got it FAST!!!!

 

[T. Foster]

The Arctic Environment is just one part of a whole "Keith Brothers Lost Supplements Collection" -- books written in the early 80s but not published until 1999. The others are Letter of Marque (pirate sourcebook), Scam (rogue/con-artist sourcebook), Starport Planetfall (encounter tables for starports), Faldor, Planet of Adventure (in the tradition of Tarsus and Beltstrike), and Reaver's Deep Sector (which is not actually by the Keiths, but a collection of mostly Keith-authored info from various other sources). All of these show up on ebay from time to time and are well worth tracking down. For CTers and Keith fans they're like pure gold.

Edited to add: the Cargonaut Press website has more info, and you can even buy the books directly, but it looks like the prices are significantly higher than what you might be able to find on ebay.

 

[trader jim]

thanks for the update-thats the last one i needed, got the whole set now>>>>>>GREAT STUFF IN ALL OF THESE!!!!

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Didn't they do the "King Richard" luxury Liner back then as well? Wasn't that Fasa?

Great stuff

 

[trader jim]

yes they did and i have it also.

 

[theSea]

Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran:
Didn't they do the "King Richard" luxury Liner back then as well? Wasn't that Fasa?

Great stuff

Action Aboard: Adventues on the King Richard was published by FASA in 1981. Bill Paley is the author, WH Keith did the cover and ship exterior illos.

I was watching The Fifth Element last night and thinking "here is some great fodder for when I run King Richard"

Yes the Keith bros stuff is pure gold - I'm grabbing every bit I can get my hands on. From a read-through, the Sky Raiders series is great. I've only been able to find the last two - if anyone has an extra copy of Legend of the Sky Raiders I'm in the market to buy.

BTW - if you're looking for the old FASA stuff Sovereign Games has a bunch and sells direct from the website.. but he also has a constant round of auctions going on E-bay. He'll let copies of the adventures go for as little as $1.00 and they often close unbid. If you do lose, just catch him on the next round (and grin because someone just paid too much). The books are in mint condition from an old warehouse stash.

 

[DED]

Originally posted by theSea:

From a read-through, the Sky Raiders series is great. I've only been able to find the last two - if anyone has an extra copy of Legend of the Sky Raiders I'm in the market to buy.

BTW - if you're looking for the old FASA stuff Sovereign Games has a bunch and sells direct from the website.. but he also has a constant round of auctions going on E-bay. He'll let copies of the adventures go for as little as $1.00 and they often close unbid. If you do lose, just catch him on the next round (and grin because someone just paid too much). The books are in mint condition from an old warehouse stash.

Yeah I just won those very same ones from him a week or so ago. It's too bad he didn't have the first one too. He would've made a few people happy.

Another nice thing about the Sky Raiders trilogy is that it's usable in any setting/with any version of Traveller you use.

 

[Nellkyn]

Hello

I’d just like to add my weight to the recommendations of Sovereign Games. I’ve dealt with him three time and never had a problem even with shipping to the UK.

As a follow-up note, all of the Gamelord ‘environment’ books also have an accompanying scenario book. Never ran or played any of them but they all read very well.

And finally, the first part of the Sky Raiders Trilogy is as rare as rocking horse droppings. I was luckily lent a copy which I protect with my life.

Be lucky,

Nellkyn

 

[Murph]

http://users.stargate.net/~whkeith/

Bill is alive and well and living in Maine. Great guy, just a great guy. Having some really tough personal times right now. He also writes as IAN DOUGLAS.

The Keith Bros. FASA adventures were the very best of the Traveller stuff.

I liked Far Frontier since we had the Imperium and Zhodani Consulate just off screen, and able to act as patrons if need be. But the majority of the worlds were less developed, navies were smaller, and there was much more room for adventure. A single cruiser could change the balance of power here since as I envision it most ships were smaller (100-5,000 tons max).

Originally posted by Ganidiirsi O'Flynn:
Capt. Gani's gonna back up ol' Trader Jim on that one! Some of the personal art isn't my style, but their city-scapes, street scenes, and starships are first-rate! Not to mention that they had a fair hand at adventure writing too...

Fact is, I really miss Will Keith. I really liked their "Fifth Foreign Legion" series. Liked it so much that I included a mis-jumped battalion of the the Legion in the TOE for the Tralyn Domain Marche aux Mort!

 

[Murph]

Run, no sprint to the closest store to get them. Marvelous stuff.

Originally posted by GreyHawk:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally Posted by theSea:
I've noticed that several of the FASA CT adventures I've recently acquired are set in the Far Frontiers sector. Did FASA (or anyone else for that matter) ever publish {canon} details on that sector???

I am looking at picking up a few of the FASA CT Adventures, namely the "Skyraiders" series. Does anyone know if they are any good? </font>[/QUOTE]