[Traveller] Bounty Hunter - The Guild

[Vex]

I keep coming back to this.

I have never played Traveller before, but from briefly glancing over a rule sheet, it seems not hard to learn.

A twice a week posting is also easy to commit to.

Well, and the Scum & Villainy faction from Star Wars is *my* thing. I have a Firespray backpack, I ran and played in Scum exclusive tournaments, I have never been a big fan of Sci Fi but bounty hunters in space? Oh boy this gets me excited.

I know you prefer more experienced players, but do you think you would be able to quickly teach the ropes to a complete Traveller newbie? (It's on my bucket list of systems to try once, anyway.)

[savoylen]

Originally Posted by Vex

I keep coming back to this.

I have never played Traveller before, but from briefly glancing over a rule sheet, it seems not hard to learn.

A twice a week posting is also easy to commit to.

Well, and the Scum & Villainy faction from Star Wars is *my* thing. I have a Firespray backpack, I ran and played in Scum exclusive tournaments, I have never been a big fan of Sci Fi but bounty hunters in space? Oh boy this gets me excited.

I know you prefer more experienced players, but do you think you would be able to quickly teach the ropes to a complete Traveller newbie? (It's on my bucket list of systems to try once, anyway.)

Nice... and absolutely. The character creation game is going to teach all the basics. I'm about half way through the starter video that will be a companion to the character creation mini game.

I already have a 10 min. quick start video if you want to get a jump start.

Check it out here:

...but none of it is really needed. I can teach you everything quickly in game.

I'll mark you as 'interested' to make me feel better but...

Would love to have you on board!

[Vex]

That helps!

I do ha Eva question regarding the universe about androids, drones etc - would it be possible to play a Shadowrun-like Rigger, only sending drones and androids out?

[epelj1]

I fleshed out my guy a bit more. I'm open to suggestions on edits that may not fit the universe, or suggestions on where to look to flesh out more specific details.

[ogamodyna]

Originally Posted by Vex

That helps!

I do ha Eva question regarding the universe about androids, drones etc - would it be possible to play a Shadowrun-like Rigger, only sending drones and androids out?

I'm by no means the GM here, but I can say with confidence, that such a character seems doable and possibly really entertaining in the Traveller setting. I mean you could go so far as to have a character with physical limitations that only explored outside of the ship by remote means. It would be a combination of skills probably, with comms, engineering and driving being high on the list. The main worry would be getting the right rolls for the skills you need to make it just what you want. The creation process in Traveller can radically change what you had in mind for your character LOL. But I think Savvy usually does a modified version of creation that might help with that. To be honest, I kind of miss some of the chaos of traditional rolling . Then I remember the times that a character died, or was maimed, or just took too sharp a turn in later generation, which prompted a restart.

[Sir Swindle]

Been a while since I've been on here, but your cross platform advertising worked! I wanted to do something different and apply as a Hiver, if that's a no go I can actually probably still use everything as a human or maybe a Bwap.

1. Commit to a long-term game: Not super experienced with Traveller, Reffed one short game for my home group. I'm involved in a PbP on another site. As for the premise, who doesn't love a sort of action spy thriller? It's a bit of a departure from the Traveller "Star hopping sandbox" I think that will work great for relative strangers playing together.

2. Name & Core Personality: Sone, is casually manipulative encouraging others to do the hard work for him without really thinking about it. He avoids a direct conflict if at all possible and tends to work best with a team when he can be at a console, checking out camera feeds, making comms calls, and positioning a gun-drones for marks to step into an opening.

3. Alias and Sigil: Catspaw, a wavy six-fingered clawed hand.

4. The Road Less Taken: Sone was always a little different, some would call his manipulations blunt or wasteful, most non-hivers would call them sociopathic. He began life in a social nest but after an unfortunate 'accident' caused the death of a rival his care takers maneuvered to have him sent to an industrial nest that operated in the planet's trailing Trojan cluster. He excelled at the use of remote mining drones on the nest's small star ships and after a few short years managed to take on the role of the Guaran captain's executive officer. The funeral of his predecessor was a beautiful and somber event and a tear jerking eulogy by the woman's mate was the final push the captain needed to take the mining ship out of federation territory in search of riches elsewhere.

Years later, hundreds of parsecs from home, Catspaw was the only one left on his Practicality mining ship. A lone Bounty Hunter, codenamed Acetic, recruited him after Catspaw managed to talk his way onto a cargo ship he had been stowed away aboard to get to a job. Acetic practically had to recruit the young Hiver, since the rest of the crew had been unfortunately vented into the void, who else could pilot the ship?

[savoylen]

Originally Posted by Vex

That helps!

I do ha Eva question regarding the universe about androids, drones etc - would it be possible to play a Shadowrun-like Rigger, only sending drones and androids out?

We do have some of those elements.... from playing a robot or using drones as weapons, etc. etc. Best to see how your character fleshes out and take if from there! I love these ideas... lets see where it goes!

[savoylen]

Originally Posted by epelj1

I fleshed out my guy a bit more. I'm open to suggestions on edits that may not fit the universe, or suggestions on where to look to flesh out more specific details.

Awesome.... I'm excited to look at it. I should be back home late tonight. I'll update everything as soon as I can.

Thanks!!

[savoylen]

Originally Posted by Sir Swindle

Been a while since I've been on here, but your cross platform advertising worked! I wanted to do something different and apply as a Hiver, if that's a no go I can actually probably still use everything as a human or maybe a Bwap.
...

Nice... and welcome back!!

This looks great. I'll take a closer look as soon as I get off this road trip.

[Vex]

Step 1 - The Commitment I survived several Outplays. I have only been once the reason for the death of a game, due to hospitalization. And I absolutely love bounty hunters. Herewith, I pledge my writing soul to traversing the stars.

Step 2 - Morray the Virtual Morray has always felt themselves more comfortable in the virtual reality of a game, and their approach to bounty hunting reflects that. They have not left the safety of their spaceship in months, preferring to letting drones and remote controlled androids do the dirty work. They are better known for their technical expertise and skills at jury-rigging drones and reprogramming them than actually bringing in high profile bounties, which often require a physical presence, which Morray abhors. They will absolutely deal wth other bounty hunters and the politics of the Guild, and can be even quite social - as long as no one wants to come to actually visit.

Step 3 - Alias and Sigil In a play of words no one but them seems to appreciate, Morray's call sign is Moray. The sigil is a moray eel held in a stylized hand which is supposed to be robotic. Yes, Morray has heard all the jokes and does not care for them. They like the sigil, it speaks to them.

Step 4 - The Road Less Taken Pewpew brzzzzzt pewPEWpew kccccchhh pewpew kchhhhh Shields down to 2.74 percent. Imminent failure expected. Morray started to sweat. This was not good, not good at all. The bounty should have been an easy one, a clean smash and grab. Where did the fighters come from? Pewpewpeeeeeew kchhhhh pewBOOM Port engine has lost power. Critical hull breach. Prepare for imminent evacuation. Not yet, Morray though, gnashing their teeth and holding the pilot stick with sweaty hands, moving it with enough force to nearly break the delicate, expensive equipment. There's still fight left in my old baby, they thought at the currently unseen enemy. Where did it go? They had to turn, had to.... click Disorienting blackness engulfed Morray, who needed a minute to calm their heart beat before anger washed over their face, and they began to yell as they took of the virtual reality headset. "Moooom!" "Well, I couldn't get your attention any other way", an unapologetic female voice called from the next room. "Dinner's ready, Marcus. Stop playing those games and come dine with your mother!" "That's not my name anymore", Morray weakly complained, knowing it would be useless. They did apply for the appropriate change of names half a year ago, but whatever their papers said was no match for their mom's persistence in maintaining the past. "It's the name your father gave you, and don't forget he's the reason you can waste your life with all these games. So show some respect." The sharpness of the words were mellowed by their tone. It was an old argument neither side would budge. With a deep sigh, Morray raised their slender, androgynous body from the gamer seat. Being the offspring, though illegitimate, of a wealthy corporate manager did come with benefits. They hated every one of them. A gilded cage, quite literally - it has been heavily hinted at that Morray was not welcome in the outside world until, to quote their father, "he learned to fit in and not be such a disappointment and disgrace". They had never fit in, and at least life was not bad, was it? They had no need for school or work, and could persue any expensive hobbies they wanted to - as long as said hobbies were kept inside this cage. As long as they kept to themselves, and not bring shame to the family. Morray's mother smiled at them, that vacant little smile indicating she was as much a prisoner in a cage of her own. That was the beauty of escaping into games, where they could be who they wanted to be. Machines did not judge. Machines did what they were programmed to do, unlike apparently humans. Much to their father's eternal disappointment. That night, Morray would hack into some of their father's off-shore accounts. Illegally acquired money, very easily traced if you had the appropriate DNA and an understanding on how to navigate the corporate world. A spaceship of their own, where the machines and robots did not judge.

[savoylen]

Application Status Table has been updated.

Please let me know if I missed anything on the table.

Be sure to ask all your questions - I'm happy to help.

The new home is about ready. I have the CC game finished up (until you fine people start playing with it to find all my mistakes, whatever they are)... and I'm about 70% with the QuickStart video to help with playing the mini-game - for newer players to either Traveller or PbP.

I should be ready to start pulling apps next week.

[97mg]

Apologies for the late entry! It has been a very very long time since delving into some scifi... in fact the last game might have been some Robotech in the late 90s oh those rules lol. Anyway, this game concept seems really enjoyable... particularly the manner in which we're creating characters, and all those possible long-term futures... so couldn't resist!

Commit to a long-term game:

Full disclosure, I've never played Traveller. Have seen it "around" of course, but somehow never found an opportunity to be adequately introduced, or found friends interested in giving it a shot. Perhaps this can change! My interest after reading this game ad has led me to gobbling up a copy of the core rules and having a sniff around their pages. Thus, my experience with the system is miniscule, but I've played quite a few different games over the years and hope to learn a new one! It is not so much the mechanics, as the "world" and "theme" that are interesting, and a potential change of pace from the usual high fantasy that I often gravitate towards as both player and GM.

Long-term? Thank you! There is something special about stories that are allowed time to evolve and really let players develop their characters. I honestly prefer long games to short one-shots or adventures. As a work-from-home person, I feel pretty comfortable in being able to make the commitment, if accepted in the end.

Name & Core Personality:

Cyrella Vincero is my name, but the chance that I'd tell you that... unless under duress, is highly unlikely. Did you just flinch though? Was an old memory just triggered? Your reaction might come as something of a confession, at least so far as your artistic tastes are concerned.

So what kind of bounty hunter might I become? A string-puller you might say. Someone with connections that run a little deeper than bar owners or makeup-splashed "influencers". Okay, so yes, my preference is to avoid confrontations, and is more one of planning, logistics, background research and scene setting. Sure, there are times a young woman can use other means to get things done, be they via the creation of guilt, blackmail or merely creating a ripple that might grow in the shallows. A friendly smile? A seemingly honest "chat"? The sparkle of your reflection in my eyes? These are my weapons. Manipulation. Youth. Most of all though, being easily underestimated.

My role in a team might be less about shooting to kill, and more about ensuring that we've actually located the correct target. A researcher, a note-taker, a delver into facts. Someone to help plan movements. A colleague who knows people in industries you'd be surprised to learn are of benefit. It might be more about choosing the contracts that really matter, for a greater good, than those that offer the greatest financial reward. You mention a roguish charmer? Well, that is sort of close, except more charm, and less rogue! Then again, you need to be something of a rogue to hide your true self.

Of course, all this is on the presumption that you believe anything I say to begin with. Look, I really was someone once. Then obscurity became the best method by which to survive. One can't just disappear though, and as painful as that is, at least your allies don't just fade away either. Well... not all of them. Some strings remain intact, be they on a musical instrument, or attached to some media entity's secretly subversive upper management.

Alias and Sigil:

My alias is Coda. Funny that, right? No, not coder... Coda. Why? Because I like to bring things to an end. My end came all too soon, so it only seems fitting to assist others in coming to theirs also.

My sigil is a four-pointed star, but if you look more closely each point is comprised of a musical clef. A risky move, I know, but some interpret it as the mark of an artist, whilst others know what it means... to be played.

The Road Less Taken:

The daughter of a psychologist and an esteemed (to some) political journalist, it almost feels like my early days were subject to a good deal of determinism. You could say I rose to the top far too fast. As they so often say, the descent, was even faster. The gleam of Cyrella Vincero's smile as she performed on young talent shows was as infectious as her art. How was it then, that a girl might weave tales into so many listener's minds, only to disappear from fame the very next day?

I should blame my father for it, right? Well I do, but not without appreciation for the benefits of the aftermath. You see, being urged to follow your passions, and hence rising quickly to fame as a childhood prodigy, had a number of benefits. Money for starters, and also... influence. He saw this, and soon set about to training me to use my gift as a tool, or perhaps he was just using it for himself as the case may be. One by one the songs I performed in front of the faceless masses, evolved from being the dainty reflections of dreamy sweetheart, to those of political innuendo and a calling for change. They began to promote my father's allegiances and ideals, which by default at such a tender age were also mine own. And his ideals? Where were they from? Well, if only I'd been mature enough to ponder such things at the time. He called for revolution, the strength of unions, and fair rights for those underprivileged. Can you see the irony? My parent's success wasn't entirely their own either. He is perhaps at the deepest level, almost as "fake", as me...

Suffice to say, the "success" went too far. The world of corporate greed would have its way. My art was banned, blocked and snuffed out. My family all but disappeared from the public eye. The game was over. We went into hiding for our own protection. The only way to proceed was to reinvent myself, but not all bridges were to erupt into flames. Out there I still had allies. Friends as lowly as a street urchin who'd pined over the girl who appeared to speak his language. Friends as high as producers in media companies, who sure, had been hushed, but that didn't mean that progress couldn't be quietly made... from the inside. I am a victim of corruption, and now desire to set about causing some corruption of my own. If the system is rigged, then why not piece by piece, work to tear it down.

Recipient You still have friends here on the outside. Dig deeper. Look to the inside. He was up to his neck in it. The chime of the communicator woke me from slumber. Yes, the days of instinctively muting the device in the evenings, well they were long gone by now. A little known planet somewhere Behind The Claw was our new home. An outpost as sparse in interest, as it was in populous. Sure, I still received occasional messages from former fans, or those more interested in our demise, but father had acquired some kind of cryptic scrambler to keep our location untraceable. Until now, it seemed to have worked. No technology is water-tight though. I should have known it would only be a matter of time. For now, the more pressing concern was identifying this mysterious messenger. I exhaled in defeat. That wasn't going to happen. Not out here. I lacked the skills, or friends with the technical prowess to do such a thing. Leaning backwards, I flopped back onto my mattress. This sucked. It all sucked. Like so many evenings before, my eyes wandered over the imperfections in the ceiling's raw stone. A slab of grey, pitted and cracked in parts by material chalky and white. It wouldn't surprise me this all too, might soon come tumbling down. What would happen if the crevices were chipped away at? How long until all integrity was lost, and a unity become a fractured mess? A pile of rubble crushing those who had sought its protection. Metaphors for the Imperium were everywhere if you looked hard enough. Before breaking fingernails against the very walls around me though, I needed to complete some excavation elsewhere. Somewhere... close. The blanket was torn from my bed and slung around my shoulders. It was so cold here. Always so cold. Not enough meat on the bones, yet being slight of frame had its occasional advantages. I stepped gently out into the hallway with its endlessly flickering lights, barely able to flash pockets of dim reality against the darkness, and made for my parents doorway. Brushing dark hair away from my ears, I leaned against it. All quiet. Good. The next stop in this evening's journey was my father's "office". An industrial lock on the door? It seemed I was going to have to learn how to either be a thief, or somehow get him to absent mindedly reveal the combination. But that's another story for another time. Suffice to say, I got there in the end, and learned an amount that was equal to the volume of further questions raised. Amongst the unfinished works, the ledgers and rampant scrawlings, was one plain text file. Old friend, the time is near. The ways out are shut tight. The trap is laid. The bond for the bounty has been paid. See it done and we will move to the next.

Comments:

The concept is an ex-entertainer in hiding, out for revenge against politically affiliated corporations who executed her fall from fame, and the demise of her parent's professions and status. There are a lot of details and blanks to fill in, which I'm hoping can evolve as part of the game. I need to study the game's geography and politics a bit before nailing some of this down anyway, so very flexible to find a way to make it fit. I imagine her as a thinker and supportive role in the group, to take care of mediocre things as well as research, particularly about people and personalities. On the field, she'd lean on her colleagues heavily for support, and hopefully learn from them along the way. She could also provide a financial backbone for the team, a kind of investor, if that fits somehow.

Was her father working with a Zhodani activist to unsettle the Imperium from the inside?
Was the group he was using for assassination attempts, ultimately the cell that would actively recruit Cyrella at some later time?
Is being remembered by some, a blessing or a curse?

[MrD]

Oooo - Have I missed this??

[savoylen]

Originally Posted by MrD

Oooo - Have I missed this??

Nope.... Selection won't happen for another week. I'll post here the results and there's a tracker on post number two above. Still plenty of time to get involved! Please let me know if you have any questions.

[MrD]

Originally Posted by savoylen

Nope.... Selection won't happen for another week. I'll post here the results and there's a tracker on post number two above. Still plenty of time to get involved! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Super!