General Universal Personality Profile and Identity Fraud

[GreeneMan]

Longtime gamer who is finally running a Traveller campaign using Mongoose 2E and have some questions about the UPP (Universal Personality Profile) and identity. (Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but I could not find any relevant threads.)
1. How do we know if a character is who they say they are?
2. Is the UPP on an identicard or an implanted chip?
I can think of multiple reasons why a character would change identities. The most obvious is a criminal past, but they could be fleeing from personal threats, family vendetta, crippling debt, political or religious persecution, etc. To use an analogy from Terran history, a person could just move elsewhere up until the end of Tech Level 5 (Broadcast Age) and assume a new identity. That changed with computers and government identity numbers.
Any comments would be appreciated.

​

 

[Badenov]

So, the UPP isnt anything used for identification. It can only account for a certain number of individuals before it starts duplicating, and there's no reason you couldn't have tons of individuals with identical UPPs. 777777 is probably super-common. Identicard or chips for personal ID is a question of the Law Level and Tech Level of a world, and contains a unique identifier in addition to the UPP, which is just there because .... uh, I'm not sure exactly. I guess the same reason your driver's license has height and weight? A sort of very basic biometric to prevent the more blatant frauds?

 

[kilemall]

Here’s a basic principle to grasp about the game- even the OTU is your individual custom game.

So there might be some blurb somewhere in some version about identcards and UPP.

You might like it. Or it might be too constrained and you want a frontier fresh start vibe going on.

So you could say the system tells itself they have everyone tagged and monitored. But they don’t- hacking and bribery holes you can drive small craft through, ships on the edge so long they don’t check certifications, and DNA that gets faked.

Another principle is that of the unreliable narrator.

When you see a political ad on, do you unquestionably believe everything in it because it was presented as truth? Probably not. Same with commercial ads, news, and books.

So in that context the friendly library data entry on your ships computer will have been written by somebody with a POV and possibly an agenda. Just like Wikipedia.

Best to not automatically assume all is as presented, even in rules and sourcebooks. Conversely the truth can be as vanilla plain, not everything is a conspiracy or everyone out for themselves.

Just. A lot are.

I would suggest your guiding light is what is best for your table.

 

[The Pakkrat]

As the Referee of any edition of Traveller, you have the creative license to bring in Imperium, Zhodani, Vargr, Aslan, or any other race or polity's version of an Identity Card. It can have anything pertinent about the Traveller, or simply keep to what the polity needs to know about them. It's your Traveller Universe to make of what you will.

Example:
In Rote To Dzuerongvoe, I chose to have Qithka02 receive her Republic of Regina IdentCard as she was released from reiteration as the newest and latest Relict Clone of her Pattern. The Cym character named Zhem also requested one for 'himself' after the Move into a Vargriform Robot chassis. It can have all the UWP digits and those digits can change. Charisma rises and falls. Social Standing too. In those cases, any Starport with X-boat services can update that IdentCard and the records on file.

Again, the IdentCard and its UWP and other data can be as in-universe as desired. When I use it in-game or in-universe, it lets the audience know more than I care to spell out to readers or players new to Traveller.

Just contributing my Cr0.02, is all.

 

[Daidoji Dave]

(Nothing canon, all my own campaign.) I've been assuming identity is proven by papers from a character's homeworld. New cards for the same identity would be issued in Imperial service, from a new homeworld on changing residency, and even on employing with a megacorp (specifically including Mongoose's Merchant Marine career), so you could acquire two or more proofs of the same identity.

identicard or implanted chip

Chip only from high TL, high law level worlds, otherwise card or passport. Duplicates available for a fee and with a hassle at your homeworld or consulate.

Banks will also take great care to verify identity, not just checking ids alone but doing background checks and querying embassies/consulates before making large loans, especially including starship mortgages. You're very unlikely to slip a fake id past them on a mortgage, meaning it's very likely your real identity tied to it.

TAS would probably also be invested in determining real identity for their members, both paid and awarded.

I can think of multiple reasons why a character would change identities. The most obvious is a criminal past, but they could be fleeing from personal threats, family vendetta, crippling debt, political or religious persecution, etc.

Desirable, but not easy. Without knowing technical details, I just assume authorities wouldn't laugh it off or make it easy - anything PCs can think of, NPCs can think of. So it'll be technically difficult; still possible, but a big deal.

Some polities might make it easier to get new identities, either deliberately or as a consequence of other policies. But IDs from those polities would also be subject to greater scrutiny. Like traveling on a Jackson's Whole identity in the Vorkosigan universe, if that's not too obscure. Might get you flagged for further attention, even as it gets you through.

Another consideration is "legend" - a footprint of work history, life history, passport stamps, online presence, etc. Even a convincing id might raise red flags for a serious investigator if it's too clean and new.

In the Traveller universe Social Status might tie into legend. A fake identity as a knight or better might be subject to greater scrutiny than one as a belter. Maybe it passes all technical tests at first, but if no-one's ever heard of him someone takes a second look. A belter's id might escape that level of scrutiny, but also wouldn't get you in as many places.

It's a little meta-gamy, but in Mongoose, by analogy to the spending limit on gear before play starts, if you've come out of character creation with enemies, or terms in a Rogue career, I'd say that's all tied to the identity you start play with. They've got the name you're using now, quite possibly the name of your new ship. Forging or buying one after that should be barely possible, but also difficult enough it's not a free clean break in the first session.

 

[Condottiere]

Intelligence agencies have had centuries to insert legends into the system, possibly establishing entire family lines, that their agents can draw on.

 

[mike wightman]

CT Supplement 12 Forms and Charts:

"TAS FORM 2, PERSONAL DATA AND HISTORY
Personal Data and History allows an individual or a referee to maintain a record of the characteristics and statistics of any specific character from creation to death or final retirement. The front of the form allows notation of certain basic information, of the individual's service history, and of any psionics ability. The form is compatible with current Traveller generation systems. The reverse of the form allows a continuing monitor of cash accounts and personal inventory during play. The reverse should be maintained in pencil if changes are intended."


"Identification Cards
This chapter contains a series of twelve different identification cards taken from a variety of organizations within the Imperium. These cards have a variety of uses. Most obvious is the presentation of specific cards to player-characters in keeping with their employment and experience. But other uses are also possible. A carefully prepared card can be used as a prop when the adventurers encounter a lost wallet, a dead body, or when they return to find their rooms ransacked."

Personally I think the UPP is included in an ID card, but there is a while lot more. Lots of biometric data stored electronically.

 

[coliver988]

I've added the UPP into the NPC/PC character ID cards to make it easy to find and use. sometimes I get carried away & do the skills on the back, making a mini character sheet. Hmm, the 2nd did not do that. But I do like that card

 

[Dragoner]

IMTU ID is done by comm, which is just a thin flexible plastic like glass piece about the size of today's phones, even not connected to a network, it can display ID based on biometrics. Connected, it can link to a profile. If lost, their are kiosks which can easily print a comm, basic one, as a replacement. People do commit crimes, the government accepts this, violent crimes, and there will be enforcement: protectors ala sheriff style following; not violent crimes where one flees the star system, there will be a bulletin, though it is cheaper to just restitute the victims than to chase, and bring back someone from multiple star systems away. Depends on the amount though. The governement is concerned with safety, though also solvency. One could change their ID if they tried hard enough, being caught depends on what they are trying to do, just hide from people? Ok. Concealing a terrible crime? Not so easy.

 

[yallambie]

The UPP is not an in-universe thing (unless you say it is, of course). It is a set of numbers attached to the character that enable the game mechanics to work. You do not see a number representing your strength, or your stamina, on your passport, national identity card, or driving licence. You don't see a number for your charisma (which is very much in the eye of the beholder - Zelensky probably has a charisma of 12-13 with Keir Starmer and 1 with JD Vance). You probably don't see your IQ either. If it finds its way onto props like ID cards it is because the referee finds that useful (or fun) in running the game.

 

[mike wightman]

The UPP is an in universe thing in the Charted Space Third Imperium - just take a look at CT S:12 Forms and Charts.

"Agencies: Three basic forms-issuing agencies are covered in this supplement.
Each is responsible for a variety of forms which meet its own needs and responsibilities.
TAS Forms are issued by the Travellers' Aid Society and generally meet a wide variety of needs within the travelling community.
IN Forms are issued by the Imperial Navy and are primarily concerned with starship design and specification.
IS Forms are issued by the Imperial Scout Service and generally deal with mapping and communications functions as performed by the scouts."

So they exist in universe...

 

[coliver988]

The UPP is an in universe thing in the Charted Space Third Imperium - just take a look at CT S:12 Forms and Charts.

"Agencies: Three basic forms-issuing agencies are covered in this supplement.
Each is responsible for a variety of forms which meet its own needs and responsibilities.
TAS Forms are issued by the Travellers' Aid Society and generally meet a wide variety of needs within the travelling community.
IN Forms are issued by the Imperial Navy and are primarily concerned with starship design and specification.
IS Forms are issued by the Imperial Scout Service and generally deal with mapping and communications functions as performed by the scouts."

So they exist in universe...

the forms exist but I don't recall them indicating they have the UPP in them. An identifier yes, but don't think it is the UPP. Now, I do put the UPP in the cards I make up for things like that (there are examples in this thread I think) but that is just to make a mini-character sheet. As Yallablle says, it is a game mechanic you can optionally put in.

and hmm, scrolling up those cards did not have the UPP in them. but the cards I made for the players do, at least a couple

 

[aramis]

So, the UPP isnt anything used for identification.

Wrong, at least in CT/MT. the UPP is an in-universe assessment on the ID card, as well as an out-of-universe shorthand for game use.
See Sup 12 Forms and Charts.
Excerpt from S12 p8:

Also, note the abbreviated card format in Beltstrike.

It can only account for a certain number of individuals before it starts duplicating, and there's no reason you couldn't have tons of individuals with identical UPPs. 777777 is probably super-common. Identicard or chips for personal ID is a question of the Law Level and Tech Level of a world, and contains a unique identifier in addition to the UPP, which is just there because .... uh, I'm not sure exactly. I guess the same reason your driver's license has height and weight? A sort of very basic biometric to prevent the more blatant frauds?

Just because it's heavily common doesn't mean it's not used. After all, how many 6'1" 55 year old white males are there in Oregon alone? several hundreds... but that data is on the forms both the state and federal governments issued to me for identity purposes.

 

[Grav_Moped]

IMO, the stats on the form/ID card are the out-of-universe (player-level) representations of the in-universe form/ID card's information -- which is probaby stated in terms of height/weight, highest educational degree achieved, and some sort of social credit score.

 

[kilemall]

If UPP is a literal in universe coding system, how did they come to settle on a 2d6 bell curve representation?

 

[Grav_Moped]

If UPP is a literal in universe coding system, how did they come to settle on a 2d6 bell curve representation?

Ask the folks at the Jumpspace Instutute. Bring booze to share with them -- they will appreciate it, and you might need it.

 

[mike wightman]

IMO, the stats on the form/ID card are the out-of-universe (player-level) representations of the in-universe form/ID card's information -- which is probaby stated in terms of height/weight, highest educational degree achieved, and some sort of social credit score.

I ess where you are coming from but that is not what the game supplements themselves say. I have posted it, Aramis has quoted it. The Traveller's Aid Society TAS form is an in universe form and defines the persons UPP.
There are other ID cards in S:12 that do not have the UPP, but do have height, weight etc.

I wonder what units of measurement the Third Imperiium actually uses?

 

[mike wightman]

If UPP is a literal in universe coding system, how did they come to settle on a 2d6 bell curve representation?

The same way that misjumps are in distances of 1d6 x 1d6, they made it up.

The whole of Charted space has only just noticed that ten sided dice exist...

 

[mike wightman]

Ask the folks at the Jumpspace Instutute. Bring booze to share with them -- they will appreciate it, and you might need it.

Would that be the Jumpspace Institute that in 1105 has a fully functional hop drive prototype including a hop governor?

 

[Grav_Moped]

Would that be the Jumpspace Institute that in 1105 has a fully functional hop drive prototype including a hop governor?

It's also the batch of researchers and academics who have to reconcile that the characteristics of Jump (distances, duration) are exact multiples of distances and times defined in terms of the Sol system (Terra/Solmani Rim 1827) and Solmani calendars, for no discernable reason.

They drink a lot in order to cope.