TAS in T5

[Spaceresearcher]

Throughout all the Traveller games, there has always been The Travellers Aid Society(please correct me if I am mistaken).

While it's known as a spot to help us Travellers of the stars in our adventure, I've still to see any real solid works on it.

With T5 now upon us, wouldn't it be great to have 'The TAS Handbook', where details of what you can find in a TAS can be read about, benefits to the Traveller, what major systems in the known galaxy have them and which are unlikely to have them. Recruitment into the TAS, obtaining work through TAS, TAS galactic bingo for supporting great causes, where the prizes could be free fuel, starship services or equipment only available from a TAS. Solving disputes through TAS, TAS legal representatives to assist the poorer starship captains etc.

What do you think fellow Travellers? Am I just getting too detailed or this a great idea for new adventure possibilities in itself?

 

[Baltech Budapest]

I'd certainly welcome 'The TAS Handbook'.

 

[Vladika]

You are right, the TAS book is way overdue!

 

[robject]

I think Matt over at Mongoose has thought about making a book like this. It's system-agnostic enough to benefit all brands of Traveller.

My problem is, can you make it 120 pages long??

 

[Murdoc]

Sure you can, just put in long-winded memoirs from "The Old-Timer." :rofl:

Or more seriously, just add lots of good artwork. Like TAS hotel rooms, restaurants, you know, like a vacation brochure. I always like artwork that helps me feel like I'm there.

 

[Spinward Scout]

I don't think TNE had TAS, but that would make sense.

I would like to see a TAS book, too. I've already sent a request for a Spacer's Guide type of thing. I wonder if those two could be combined.

 

[rancke]

I don't think TNE had TAS, but that would make sense.

IIRC Milieu 0 did have TAS, which annoyed me. Not that I didn't think that the Sylean Federation could have had one, but I thought it would have been an easy way to differentiate Milieu 0 and the Classic Era a bit.

I also have a very vague and quite likely erroneous notion that somewhere I've seen a date for the founding of the TAS, some time in the 3rd or 4th or 5th Century.


Hans

 

[Murdoc]

Well the TAS cards that come with T5 say that it got started in year 0. No idea how 'canon' that is, but well, there you have it.

 

[rancke]

Well the TAS cards that come with T5 say that it got started in year 0. No idea how 'canon' that is, but well, there you have it.

That's definitely not where I read it (if I ever did read it anywhere), since my source would predate T4. But I guess that's of academic interest only, since your date will be the present-day reality either way.


Hans

 

[Baltech Budapest]

How about a quarterly magazine dedicated to the TAS?
Let's call it the Journal of the Traveller's Aid Society.
Oh, no, wait......that won't work.....

 

[emeketos]

TAS book would be interesting but I generally prefer the Hitchhiker's Guide the Galaxy the words DON'T PANIC have sooth my nervous stomach. And I have found it much more informative.

 

[Spaceresearcher]

To fill a book, it takes no time to consume about 40 pages, with maps and building layouts. Then with artwork, sample TAS cards and membership entitlements throughout the ages, you would quickly chew another 40 pages worth easily. So with say at least a 56 page classic Traveller style effort done in T5 style, you already have a 136 page book easy.

With all that has been written over the years though I honestly believe it would be more realistic to say it could be a 256 page source book.

What I've often wondered about is TAS and alien races, facilities for there particular needs etc. Is it more difficult for say a Hiver to join the TAS? Is it considered innapropriate for a Droyne to fly around in TAS buildings on low gravity worlds?

On an adventure side of things, I think there's a great deal of room for conspiracies and adventures just within the administration and setup of the TAS. There really is an aweful lot you could do with it. From using the TAS as a front to weird religious cults using the TAS for recruitment, TAS conflicts with Imperial laws etc.

While the majority are surely very friendly, almost back backer style lodges for interstellar travellers, others may not be exactly what there supposed to be, especially on low law level worlds.

 

[david.wendelken]

There was a story I remember (somewhere, no idea which publication) that the TAS was founded by a spacer who had been stranded for decades on a remote planet before he was found and rescued.

It was fairly early in Imperial history, but it's been over 3 decades since I read it...

 

[selunatic2397]

Wasn't that the octagon society?

 

[Hemdian]

There was a story I remember (somewhere, no idea which publication) that the TAS was founded by a spacer who had been stranded for decades on a remote planet before he was found and rescued.

Wasn't that the Octagon Society (not TAS)?

Update: Curses, selunatic2397. Beaten me by seconds.

 

[david.wendelken]

Wasn't that the octagon society?

Now that you mention it, I think you are right.