Actually there are two types of barbarians, the one you mention is the low tech barbarian. What Traveller neglects are those high tech barbarians, they ones that aren't primitive at all, but just uncivilized.Originally posted by Jame:
"Barbarian" implies tribal/survivalist people with low/scattered populations. So what do you do when you need someone primitive, but from an actual civilization (as opposed to culture) which is low-tech?
Actually there are two types of barbarians, the one you mention is the low tech barbarian. What Traveller neglects are those high tech barbarians, they ones that aren't primitive at all, but just uncivilized. </font>[/QUOTE]Too true. But I'm looking for something like a Roman/Greek/Assyrian CG for Traveller...Originally posted by Space Cadet:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Jame:
"Barbarian" implies tribal/survivalist people with low/scattered populations. So what do you do when you need someone primitive, but from an actual civilization (as opposed to culture) which is low-tech?
That's a fundamental point that I didn't grasp. Even though it may be obvious to you, it wasn't to me, and so you've enlightened me. Thanks!Originally posted by Plankowner:
Cadet, I think that is exactly Jame's problem. There is only 1 creation method for a vary diverse group of people.
Roman Citizens and South American Hunter/Gatherers are NOT going to have the same skills.
Potential feedback from a relative newcomer - to be taken with a grain or more of saltOriginally posted by robject:
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Draft 1
Assumption: all societies have a peasant class and a ruler/priestly class.
Merchant/Artisan class. If this class exists, then these skills are available only to that class. Otherwise they are generally available to all.
Craftsman
Metallurgy
Other languages
Warrior class. If this class exists, then these skills are available only to that class. Otherwise they are generally available to all.
Weapon use
Survival
Stealth
Leader
Tactics
Literate If this attribute is true, then these skills are available to all. Otherwise they're not available.
Strategy
Law
Admin
Bureaucracy
Diplomacy
Sedentary If this attribute is true, then these skills are available to all. Otherwise they're not available.
Agriculture
Advanced building
Remember that alot of TL5+ technology requires an extensive infrastructure to develop, manufacture and use. Ofcourse, assuming interstellar contact, that infrastructure (especially manufacturing and training) could be off-world, especially if the scope of local technology is limited.Originally posted by atpollard:
As a small aside, many 'native' Earth cultures have a philosophical world-view that makes “machinery” undesirable, but could still embrace a variety of “soft-science” based technologies. A TL 1 Traveller “ primitive” could posses advanced knowledge in bio-chemistry, medicine, law, philosophy, ecology, etc.
Maybe they use molecular machines instead, or perhaps biomachines, they just don't use the metallic or plastic clunkers most Traveller societies are used to. Their machines require food and reproduce like animals, but they are really machines built out of biological cells.Originally posted by atpollard:
As a small aside, many 'native' Earth cultures have a philosophical world-view that makes “machinery” undesirable, but could still embrace a variety of “soft-science” based technologies. A TL 1 Traveller “ primitive” could posses advanced knowledge in bio-chemistry, medicine, law, philosophy, ecology, etc.
It might surprise a starship crew to learn that ‘THIS’ TL 1 civilization is capable of TL 16 holistic medicine (or TL 5 Chemical Explosives).
Just some random thoughts.
"(shore hugging triremes, galleys, etc)"
Actually, there is plenty of evidence that the Greek, Phoenician, Nordic, Arabian, Chinese, and especially Polynesian seafarers all made cross-ocean voyages far from land.
Planned round trips across the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, South China Sea/Yellow Sea, North Sea, and large stretches of the Pacific were common for peoples that Traveller would classify as TL 1.