[TML] query re Aramis subsector

[Richard Aiken]

On Dec 19, 2007 6:54 PM,  <royce at efn.org> wrote:
>   Maybe this would lead to TTA, maybe not.  But your experiences would be
> warmly welcome.
>   Sincerely,
> Asher

TTA was my very first Traveller campaign, many moons ago now
(1989-91).  I remember the following things:

1) The PCs absolutely *destroyed* the lobby of the museum, fighting
the security gaurds who were throwing Gvoudzon (sp?) out.  They then
had to get very creative (putting on disguises and hiring "escorts")
in order to get back in later to steal the brooch.

2) They got arrested on Psadi, but got out without actually destroying
anything - they hadn't left anyone behind to man their March Harrier
or I'm sure they would have - when Sean's PC (who was a "secret"
psionic) promised to stay behind with the anola's (he was the only one
they were actually attracted to - the rest of the party had been mean
to them).  Then the next day the party came back with the ship and
"kidnapped" Sean's PC.

3) Sean had a strange concept of what his gauss rifle really was.  At
one point, for some reason I can't remember, he was talking about the
rounds for the gun being "really gigantic, as long as my hand."  We
all looked at him oddly, then Dez said, "Sean, honey, the thing
carries a hundred of them.  What do you think the magazine's like?"
Dez mimes looping something flexible around his arm and throwing it
over his shoulder, then sags to his knees.  We all die laughing, as
Sean splutters, "Hey!  I was just going by the damage!  Those HAVE to
be BIG bullets!"

4) There was some world with a planetary king and a middling tech
level.  I can't remember the name (and I don't have the book with me
right now).  It turned out that one of the NPCs that joined the group
about midway through - an ancient old cuss who had a really high
Computer skill - was a spy for this guy.  Strangely, instead of
getting mad, the group ultimately decided to hire out to the king as
mercenaries, putting down a rebellion for him.

6) They contracted to deliver a load of "organic fertilizer" (poni
manure) to the independent farmers on that desert world that Tukera
owns (again, I forget the name).  Just after they set down, Tukera
Security responded in a laser-rifle-armed air-raft.  There was an
exciting battle - the details are kind of funny and I'll post them if
you're interested - that ends up with most of the PCs out of action in
the middle of a street.  The only one left aboard the March Harrier
was Sean's PC . . . who's just recently managed to learn Pilot-0!
They left Sean because he was the gunner, but he couldn't manage to
hit the air-raft for them (it stayed too low and fast).
    Sean sees the Tukera air-raft drop below the rooftops and Gvoudzon
(the only conscious character) says it's landing.  Sean decides that
he's going to TRY and lift the MH off, then set her back down on the
street between the air-raft and the unconscious PCs.  He fails his
roll by one point.
    Well . . . I don't really want to let the PCs get killed or
captured at that point.  So I rule that he manages to move the MH
alright.  Aside from taking out some power lines and a couple of roof
peaks . . . But when he sets her down, one of the landing gear comes
down right on top of the Tukera air-raft.  This crushes the air-raft
flat (and also damages the gear, but such is life).  "Where are the
security guys?" Sean asks worriedly.  "Well, it seems that they
*tried* to scramble back into their vehicle and move it out of the
way."  Dez's PC is unconscious, but he says: "When I wake up, I'm
telling him HE gets to clean the landing gear."

6) One last memory (I promise): During the final confrontation, TTA
says that the Bad Guys will attempt to bribe their way onto their
ship, if the PCs catch them outside it.  Right?
    Well, there everybody is.  The PCs have a good crossfire on the
boarding ramp.  But if the Bad Guys make a determined rush, everyone
knows that at least some of them will get aboard and get away.  Then
the lead Bad Guy (sorry, his name escapes me) offers a parley.  When
the PCs agree, he and the Bad Girl meet Dez and Sean's PCs at the foot
of the ramp.  I tell them that Bad Guy is carrying a satchel, then
mime opening it and slowly display a large crystal d20 on my palm,
telling the players it's a diamond in-game.  They are literally
awe-struck.  I have Bad Guy say: "So . . . may we board?"  The players
all nod, Dez plucks the d20 from my hand and Bad Guy/Bad Girl regally
ascend the ramp, followed by their goons.
    As their ship lifts away, Sean says in a musing tone, "You know,
Dez . . . that was an awfully large satchel to hold just one diamond .
. ."  They all look at me and then groan very dramatically as I
silently smile.

-- 
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident."  Robert A. Heinlein