• Welcome to the new COTI server. We've moved the Citizens to a new server. Please let us know in the COTI Website issue forum if you find any problems.

What is happening with TNE?

Bear with me if this is a frequent asked question - I am not a regular in this group.

What is currently happening with Traveller: Then New Era? What are the plans and schedules of Martin Dougherty, Hunter and other involved parties. I understand that they have been tied up in the release of T20, but what is happening now? The latest update of TNE Sourcebook update page is from October 2001. What are the current plans? When is the source book planned? What other publications are planned? Are there an interest in submissions for TNE?

Sven
 
Sven 2300! Welcome from Arkansas to Denmark!
As to the questions on TNE...
yes, a sourcebook is in the makings...
Release date....MJD? Hunter?
My crystal ball tells me it'll be a while. UNless the groundswell of TRAV TNE fandom makes a tidal wave somewheres...
I imagine when they get near to "hit time" with publishers, etc etal, and "supplements" are going to be needed fer the time period/ regions... that
Stuff will be called for (like now with T-20 is doing) for Traveller's Aide, and stuff on the TravellerRPG page.
 
Patrick Jones talks about change happening two ways, akin to filling a bathtub with water...pulling out all the stops and letting the water flow and the other just closing the plug.

In life, I tend toward letting it all flow in hope of catalyzing change. But, here I must say that let me add my drop for change, as opposed to letting the rivers flow.

I really enjoyed MJD Phenoix novel and hope to see the entire series published into paper before the TNE sourcebook. Because by that time we will all be speaking the same language and can actively contribute to making the vision thing happen rather than imposing our constraints or vision which will be ignored anyhow.
 
I too would like to throw my hand up for a little background on the TNE. I'm part of the group of players that went on RPG hiatus (college, parties, girls, etc.) and missed the Megatraveller, New Era stuff. D20 (and then T20) brought me back. I've dug my LBBs out of storage...

But, the concepts of rebellion, collapse, virus, etc. were new to me. But, I liked the stuff I started to learn. Maybe I don't have the whole picture to fully appreciate the criticism that TNE gets, but from my point of view I think it was kind of exciting.

So, bottom line, I'd like to learn more about this stuff and would pay (stress pay) for some material from MJD. It beats trying to a) figure out which out of print books to shop for on Ebay & b) trying to win the bidding on Ebay.

Oh yeah, loved the novel Martin!

Andy
 
I'm in somewhat the same boat though my knowledge extends further (later) than yours.

CT basically goes as far as immediatly post the 5th frontier war. The sword worlds get aggressive (with vargr and behind the scenes Zhodani encouragement) and from about 1110 to 1113 (exact dates anyone) are a pain that requires Imperial Navy Army and Marines work under the auspices of Duke Norris of Regina.

Jump ahead RL to about 1987 (I'm pretty sure MT came out when I was still in southern ontario '86-'88)

Mega-Traveller comes out, new rules. High Guard/Merc/Merchants/Scouts style chargen, new prior history classes all sorts of cool stuff and a new meta-plot.

The Year is 1116. Emperor Strephon has been assasinated by Arch-Duke Dulinor who then claimed the Iridium throne 'by right of assination' a precedent established during the civil war of the '900's.

In the 'Shattered Imperium' (new logo Imperial Sunburst with the globe inside done up a like 'a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone') There are many Factions. Arch-Duke Norris (who got his Arch-Dukedom before X-boat's could notify the Spinward Marches of The emperor's death but not before a jump 6 naval courier could) Takes charge as the Arch-Duke of Deneb and tries to hold the area 'Behind the Claw' Together.

There's Lucan a nasty Heir, suspected of killing the Heirs ahead of him in sucession and with a rep as a psycho and a nut.

There's Margeret a VERY senior naval officer as well as noble.

There's 'The Real Strephon' Strephon was fond of experiments with robots and was suspected of using pseudo-bio robots to sub for him in 'ribbon cutting' ceremonies. The question as to weather This strephon was such a robot or weather such a robot was lying at Dulinor's feet is one that is not answersed in the MT materials in my posession.

There's other factions. and foriegn powers move in to take advantage of this time of weakness. The Aslan Claim Terriorty, The Vargr Raid, The Solomani Take back their precious Terra etc.

This is about as far as MY knowledge goes.

I've since heard of TNE. I even read a traveller novel "the Death of wisdom" set in Reformation Coalition. A post imperial do-gooder pocket empire trying to re-light the lights of civilisation.

I've heard mention 'hard times' and 'virus' and vampires... but...

I really don't know what happened between MT and TNE and I don't know much about TNE.

Someone want to take it from here?
 
Aye, suitable work for a heretic in Chief...
Andy O:

by 1120 the war of rebellion had been fought to desparate standings. By 1124 the last offensives were over, the 1122-23 black war Scorched earth policies of the Solomani, Dulinor, and Lucan's retreating forces had wrecked many worlds.

By 1125 Hard Times began...as worlds no longer with viable trade felt the recession of trade megacorps, and Imperial navy protection vanish...worlds began dying, and the Doomed Trade of refugees flooding the "SAFES" (those regional zones around the faction leader's capitals where Imperial Standards of living, trade/ commerce and tech still existed).
Not all would make it.

By 1128, Pocket empires formed, called Polities, independent clusters of worlds banding together for Trade/ self defense, etc. formed ou in the "wilds" those regions of space that had gone feral wih raiders, pirates, and worse, rippers (really murderous pyschopathic killers turned "on" by all the billions killed by then).

The Imperium as an entity ceased to exist.

The Vargr fell to bickering over their 1116 spoils/ The SOlomani war machine chugged to a halt tied down by political problems at home.

Dulinor mounted one last attempt to seize Capital from Lucan, and unleashed the AI-Virus weapon from Celetron systems' research Base Omicron...

And the ships became awakened, aware, with hostile intent towards organic life...and the lights went out over he Imperium, save BTC, the Marches and Deneb...they held the wall against this nightmarish collapse.

(Imagine the affects of "Maximum overdrive with Terminator Movies--now go Imperium wide with them--the machines began a killing spree.)
That was in 1130.

1144, the Hiver Federation recovers, and rebuilds.

1165, the Hivers decide to recontact Humans, help them build a "kinder, gentler future back in the stars."

1192-In the Old Expanses, the Dawn League polity forms from six planets in subsector M/ AUbaine.

1193 the Hivers contact the League, and start a Technical School on Aubaine, the sole TL-12 world with an A-class port left.

1198-first graduates finish school, and an expedition is formed, ships are slavaged to recontact the stars (wilds) about them.
By early 1199, it becomes clear something bad has happened to these 12 ships..they are MFU (missing Fate Unknown)
mid-1199-mid1200, more ships are galvanaized by the dawn League to search for the missing 12, and accicdentally knock off the TED on Vezina/Aubaine/OE. This begins a method known as Ted-Busting, or Star Viking...a moniker that sticks for good or ill. Later in 1200, they join the worlds in subsector N/Oriflamme, and form the "Reformation Coalition".

1201-1202, the RC combats Teds, ignorance, uplifts worlds, trashes others for relic technology, and runs into another stellar power-
The Empire of Solee...as well as the Vmapire Fleet menace of Promise subsector/Diaspora.

Here things get fuzzy by the books, as pubs ceased after this time line:

by 1203, Promise Vampire Fleet planet has been liberated/ then Solee is dealt with (1203-04.

By 1206, the Rc meets up with the regency of Deneb. the Imperials who held back Virus, and maintained their high technology...

That essentailly is the GDW version of the events.
By 1244 though, we see Virus defeated, and the stars have been re-awakened

By 1248, the 4th Imperium starts...
(How am I doin' MJD?)
 
Adequately.

the 1206 meeting is a long-distance scouting contact, not a butting of borders. The UWA has at this time helped break the Guild's power and won its first battle for survival (Phoenix at Bay)

During this period the Ziru Sirka resurges, fights a bitter war with the Regency, then turns and plunges into the Black Curtain to take Capital and claim the restored Imperium as theirs. Some ships actually make it to Capital.

This triggers the Curtain War, as the Black Imperium falls on the Vilani and then pours out across local space ("Phoenix in Darkness")

Elements of the Regency, RC, UWA, Ziru Sirka and Usdiki Faction fleets take on the Black Imperium in what becomes the War of the Grand Alliance.

Capital is taken by the Grand Alliance, but falls immediately to an outside threat; the Dominate.
 
The Grand Alliance collapses, and the Regency is split over whether it should proclaim itself the Imperial Regency and continue as the legitimate sucessor to the Imperium.

As the Imperial Regency implodes in civil war, the Peacemakers create a compromise between the UWA,Regency elements, RC, remains of the Ziru Sirka etc.

This compromise is the basis of the 4th Imperium, though its scattered members pledge allegiance to the Vacant Throne rather than the Emperor.

The forces of this new Imperium throw back the Dominate and destroy the Black Imperium ("Phoenix Rising")
 
It becomes apparent that the Dominate remains a tremendous threat, and the 4th Imperium and its allies, plus successor states (Spinward Coalition, League of Deneb etc), make a final gamble on a slim chance of victory.

The Grand Fleet of All Humaniti confronts the Dominate in Gateway Domain, hoping to stem the tide before it is too late. For the first and only time in history, all the major branches of humaniti are together, fighting against extinction. "Sunburst Phoenix"

In the aftermath of the Last Stand, there are several successor states. Most are no bigger than a few subsectors, with Wilds in between.

Finally, an individual worthy of the title is found, and crowned Emperor of the 4th Imperium. Thus begins the New Era, 1248.

The first act of the new Emperor is to ask for volunteers for a new challenge. The Star Vikings take up the challenge and leave Charted Space in a fleet of starships. The leave behind the Freedom League, a successor state to the RC.

The New Era begins in 1248. Nothing is the same, but some things don't change. Charted Space contains many moderately powerful states, of which the 4th Imperium is perhaps the most powerful.

And after?

A new story for a new era...
 
Originally posted by AllenS:
All I can say is....wow. This sounds incredible.

Allen
Dittos

This sounds the making of a great Sci-Fi series! :D :cool:

I already can picture the liberation of Capital and the final battle against the Dominate. (Soundtrack for B5 episode "Endgame" ready to play, sir)

I do have some questions that I know others are dying to ask:

Peacemakers - Is this new?

New Ziru Sirka Jr - That's something I've been pondering. It's probaly in the BARD site, but is there a canon or semi-canon on a Vland based PE?

Terra - Is an Earth based PE a player?

Dominate - Is this some type of Virus/Borg xenophobic power? Why does the image of Virus enslaved/allied K'Kree come to mind?

Just some thoughts that came to mind while reading MJD's postings.

PS. I want my copy of TNE:1248 NOW! ;) :cool:
file_23.gif
file_21.gif
 
I would think the Black Imperium is the successor to Virus. (I.e. what is left after only "sane" Virus strains remain.) I am curious, in a traffic-accident sense, what sick and twisted form of man/machine combination has resulted there.

The Dominate, I would think, needs to be some non-human (obviously), non-Virus threat. My guess is that it is recovered K'kree on a "jihad" rampage.

The way that could work is the K'kree suffer from Virus just like everyone else. However, as they recover they discover that Virus was a human invention.

At that point the most militant, extreme views of K'kree thought take hold and they, as a group, decide that the only way to be safe from the meat eaters is to just kill them all.

Don't talk, don't subjugate. Just kill them all.
 
Originally posted by George Boyett:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Liam Devlin:
...(How am I doin' MJD?)
That's a very good synapsis. This will really help in developing my own T20:TNE 1200 game. :cool: </font>[/QUOTE]-------------------
Adequate sketch based on published works, and some line-reading in-between. Thanks George!
& MJD. ;)
 
Originally posted by Liam Devlin:
Adequate sketch based on published works, and some line-reading in-between. Thanks George!
& MJD. ;)
Good Morning! :D
Nice and cold November morning, beautiful fall foliage, and a GOP win in the Mid-Term Elections!
(Sorry, just had to place that one in ;) )

So what is your take on the MJD's latest posting, O Wise and Heretical One? ;)
file_23.gif
 
Thanks to all for answering my questions...
Why do so many Traveller fans seems anti-new era? The story seems great. Perhaps the way the story was printed/released???

Again thanks... and Martin -- really looking forward to new material.

Andy
 
Originally posted by George Boyett:
Good Morning! :D
Nice and cold November morning, beautiful fall foliage, and a GOP win in the Mid-Term Elections!
(Sorry, just had to place that one in ;) )

_________________________________________________
And a grand mornin cool, and crisp it is. The rain has ceased...and yes, the GOP returns!
Enough Politics tho...
__________________________________________________
So what is your take on the MJD's latest posting, O Wise and Heretical One? ;)
file_23.gif
[/QUOTE]
__________________________________________________
An outline, backed by the publications of the Phoenix series of novels he has planned.
Extraordinary.
The T-20 Bunch, and MJD in particular are ususally tight-lipped. But as I sustain, IF a groundswell arises for it, they will be forthcoming.
As previously mentioned by MJD, the RC-Regency contact is a distant Scout thingy-not a meshing of borders in 1206.
It stands to reason that the Ziru Sirka, who conquered the Imperium at TL-10, later at 11 finished it up, would stand as a PE with designs of their own, and survive into the TNE. Their politics aside vs Regency over Depot/MT/Rebellion era, no doubt left hard memories of 'co-operation" with Norris' heirs. Plausible.
Also plausible they would go for the throne to set their flag there first.
This in turn sets the anthill of the Black Imperium lose on all of the surviving states (including the Usdiki Faction!!!), and culminates with the "Black-Curtain War"/Grand Alliance.
And just when you think its all said and done with Capital being re-taken..they lose it to the outside force of the Dominate (Trailing threat-see also some very Jihad minded K'Kree (kill the humans-they brought about VIRUS-all must die! Cleanse the Stars of their kind!).
The K'Kree as well as Vland, went very far on TL-10 & TL-11, and thus will recover from the collapse, and return--with fury.
The Last Stand at GateWay Sector is a deja vu of Lords of Thunder/ Ley sector K'Kree incusion late in the Rebellion era.
The 4th Imperium arises as the major state, and the RC becomes the Free Leagues State..I imagine, also the Spinward Coalition & Deneb remain states as well.
Lots of regions remain in Wilds.

All of it works fer me.

Of the Hierate?? What of the Aslan? The BTC Hierate forces survived intact allied with the Regency...we shall see what unfolds there.

Heretical,and wise? Surely an oxymoron if ever was.;)

BTW: the Peacemakers are that rare strain of AI-Virus debuted in "Vampire Fleets". One of them betrays the Insane God-Strains running Promise, and is actucally (surprise) the brains behind the human resistance on the planet.
The RC's acceptance of these AI's as Sophonts gives rise to the hostile reaction of the Regency vs. them in 1206 (that, and No Imperial Nobility! Run by--gasp, the people!Oh MY!-shock!-AlanB the middle class arises!)hahaha.

Still, its a brief, but grand, stirring sweep of the turbulent times of the first half of the 1200's (post collapse).
HAts off/ tipped to MJD.
 
Originally posted by AndyO:
Thanks to all for answering my questions...
Why do so many Traveller fans seems anti-new era? The story seems great. Perhaps the way the story was printed/released???
________________________________________
Not here lad, not I. You seem to have experienced a Rip Van Winkle type of hiatus from the game...In short, not everyone was happy when CT became MT. Then MT ended with GDW under Dave Nilsen taking Traveller into TNE.
The way it was written/ the AI-Virus concept-the reasons given by opponents are many.

But all things change, and in the Traveller Universe, even time must go forward...MJD, Hunter & Coy. have the green Light from Marc w Miller.
To that end we go..FORWARD!

Welcome to the boards, btw!
 
Back
Top