I need of setting info

[Madmacabre]

Good afternoon all!

For a number of years I have been GMing games using the WoD, D&D and Savage Worlds systems. I now decided it was time for me and my group to try something else, and after reading the net (and being a Firefly fan, I oriented my search in that direction), I found this game that seem to have a crazy fan base: Traveller.

Therefore, I went forward and purchased the “Traveller Pocket Edition” to see what that game was all about. I am still waiting for the book, but from what I understand, there is not much included with regards to the Traveller setting in the book. It is mostly a great generic space rpg system.

Where could I find reading material that would provide me with decent exposure with regards to the setting behind “Traveller”?

Is there a summary book/web page around?

Thanks!

 

[Beech]

Oh difficult question, there is just so much out there!
As you are waiting for the Pocket Edition you might as well get the Mongoose Spinward Marches Book as it is compatible. This does give a pretty good introductory overview.
(Though many here will disagree...)

Be warned though you will soon 'need' to collect everything ever printed with Traveller on the cover.

 

[far-trader]

The Traveller Wiki page (with the usual caveats that wiki should come with) might be a good start:

http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Wiki

Especially the Library section:

http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Library

But there is a wealth of info collected in various books and sites over the decades. Finding it is not always easy but if you have the coin and desire many of the books are available in reprint form from Marc Miller in print and CD-ROM collections here:

http://www.farfuture.net/

Or individually by title as PDFs through RPGNow.com:

http://www.rpgnow.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=4&filters=0_0_0_0

And of course if you have a question about anything specific you can post here and probably have several different answers

 

[RandyT0001]

Just to let you know the Traveller Wiki includes fan created material that goes beyond what is "officially", or "historically" Traveller. There might be articles/material in there you cannot find in any of the Traveller books.

 

[Qstor2]

The Third Imperium is the setting for Mongoose Traveller.

http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Third_Imperium


The Mongoose Spinward Marches book has a lot more material. The GURPS Traveller book has a good library section for background on the setting too.

Mike

 

[Icosahedron]

Hi MM,
Some people around here will lead you to believe there is only one setting for Traveller, the Official Traveller Universe (OTU) otherwise known as the Third Imperium. However, the Traveller rules (particularly the Mongoose version) can be adapted to your own setting. Many of us run Alternative Traveller Universes (ATU) based on TV shows or just made up. Obviously that route means more work for the GM, but it is quite possible to use the Traveller rules to play pure Firefly if that's what you want.

 

[far-trader]

Absolutely Icosahedron Excellent point.

I'd go so far as to say I envy you Madmacbre for the chance to start fresh and "create" your own 'verse. But if you're looking for a ready made setting I'd probably second the Mongoose Traveller Spinward Marches for "Traveller" (which is really close in many ways to the flavour of Firefly).

If you want a more "authentic" Firefly 'verse under Traveller rules you'll find plenty of comments around here somewhere, we've discussed it before at length iirc. If the search engine is behaving try some Firefly flavoured searches and see what comes back. Good hunting, and...

Welcome aboard!

 

[mike wightman]

Traveller's setting - as cribbed from a variety of supplements:

Traveller Intro


Traveller is set in the sectors controlled by the Imperium, a remote central government possessed of great industrial and technological might.
Due to the sheer distances and travel times involved it is unable to exert total control at all levels everywhere within its star-spanning realm. As a result, the Imperium allows a great deal of autonomy to its subject worlds beyond the central Core systems.

Here on the frontier, in a sector called The Spinward Marches, extensive home rule provisions allow planetary populations to choose their own forms of government, raise and maintain armed forces for local security, pass and enforce laws governing local conduct, and regulate commerce (within limits). The Imperium asks for respect for its overall policies, and for a united front against outside pressures.

Defence of the frontier is mostly supplied by local indigenous forces, stiffened by scattered Imperial Naval bases manned by small but extremely sophisticated forces.
Conflicting local interests are often settled by force of arms, with Imperial forces quietly looking the other way, unable to intervene in any but the most wide-spread disputes, which threaten the security or the economy of the area.

The Imperium also maintains the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service, equal in stature to the Imperial Navy and Army, whose duties include exploration of and beyond the Imperial frontier, on-going mapping and surveying of Imperial territory, and the maintenance of interstellar communications through its express boat network.
The IISS maintains bases and waystations on many worlds in order to facilitate its mission.

Moving within the relative safety of the Imperium are the merchantmen. Whether free trader or megacorporation bulk transport, tramp liner or luxury cruiser, it is trade and commerce that is the life blood of the Imperium.

Your character, _______, has just mustered out having served __ terms in the ______.
You are on ________.

Adventure awaits.

I use this as a handout, you can lose the bit at the bottome if you like.

 

[Strangelove]

The Traveller Wiki page (with the usual caveats that wiki should come with) might be a good start:

http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Wiki

Especially the Library section:

http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Library

But there is a wealth of info collected in various books and sites over the decades. Finding it is not always easy but if you have the coin and desire many of the books are available in reprint form from Marc Miller in print and CD-ROM collections here:

http://www.farfuture.net/

Or individually by title as PDFs through RPGNow.com:

http://www.rpgnow.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=4&filters=0_0_0_0

And of course if you have a question about anything specific you can post here and probably have several different answers

Does FFE offer the CDs as direct downloads?

I wouldn't mind purchasing but unfortunately I hate waiting. I suppose it takes a couple of weeks to receive the order via UPS or USPS?

 

[flykiller]

the traveller setting is huge, and far too big for a beginner to understand all at once.

get a basic understanding, then start small, with just a few planets. grow from there.

 

[rancke]

If you want a gentle introduction to the Traveller Universe, you could try getting a subscription to JTAS Online and search for 'Regina Startown'. That will get you a string of articles detailing an introductory setting -- setting, six sample PCs, NPCs, adventures, adventure seeds, a campaign newspaper that you can copy and give to your players. Once you've tried out some of the adventures, the players can begin travelling to neighboring worlds and having adventures on them. By the time you've exhausted the possibilities of the setting, you'll be ready to go further abroad, and Regina Startown will still be there to provide a sort of home base for the PCs.


Hans

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

Well...

Does FFE offer the CDs as direct downloads?

I wouldn't mind purchasing but unfortunately I hate waiting. I suppose it takes a couple of weeks to receive the order via UPS or USPS?

My orders usually take about a week, but I live in Wisconsin, so not sure if that is a factor. Marc seems to get stuff out the door quick like.

 

[far-trader]

Does FFE offer the CDs as direct downloads?

Some (or used to anyway) through DriveThruRPG.com (and such):

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=4

However, you'll pay (a lot I think) more in the end and have to hunt around to find all the bits, and not all of them are there either iirc.

As noted Marc is pretty quick about shipping out, any delay in receipt is probably down to the postal service(s) of the country(s) involved

 

[jatay3]

the traveller setting is huge, and far too big for a beginner to understand all at once.

get a basic understanding, then start small, with just a few planets. grow from there.

Are you supposed too? No character could understand to much if he really existed.

However, I think a good entry level is Intersteller Wars. The Terran Confederation has a familiar enough culture for most players to adapt to it-they barely have to adapt at all. The Vilani would be strange but they would be strange to Terran characters as well.