[TML] "The Sky Raiders" trilogy

[Laning]

First, someone said:
>> Personally I don't like randm character generation since my players tend to> design their characters backgrounds and then build characters to fit it. Try> doing that with a random system.
>>     
Michael Taylor replied:
> There are some random systems that let you do that. Usually it's off a roll which table, but pick from the table rolled type of thing. 
>  
> But yeah, not in Traveller. 
>
I encourage players to simply choose which table they prefer (for 
Skills, Assignment, etc.)  They normally have to make more than enough 
trade-offs that they aren't in danger of becoming an ubermunchkin, and 
it lets them create a character approximately like what they had in mind 
to play.  It ends up being more random than it sounds, since the process 
of table selection often creates a fresh whimsy the player never 
entertained until scanning through the tables.
  I also encourage them to roll six-siders in the normal fashion if 
they're having trouble making their skill selections.  But they are free 
to ignore the die roll and go with something else if they desire.  
Rolling the dice just acts as a catalyst and speeds the process.

I have mentioned this before on the TML and heard immediate horrified 
cries of "You munchkin!!!" and "Pagan idolator!!!" and I understand 
those points of view.  After decades of careful consideration, I 
continue to disagree.  At least for the games I prefer to play, the PCs 
should be empowered enough to not merely survive various exciting 
events, but also influence them and even take charge of them.  This 
requires skill levels.  Besides, I got tired a long time ago of losing 
first-time Travellers when they quit in disgust and frustration over the 
interminable randomness of char gen the strictly canonical way.  
Traveller is a very lonely game to play if nobody else wants to make a 
character.

For those who are dubious, I suggest you try it a couple of times and 
see what you think.  :->

--Laning
"Look at the stars lighting up the sky: no one of them stays in the same 
place." -Seneca (4 BC - 65 AD)