From xiphos23 at yahoo.com Fri Aug 1 10:53:47 2008 From: xiphos23 at yahoo.com (Robert Faust) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 09:53:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [TML] Mayday...mayday.... Message-ID: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Hi, I'm new to the list and am not sure if my email got through, and I haven't seen anything come to me in digest form. ? So, can someone let me know if they received this? ? Thanks, ? Faust From Leon.Wu at newswire.ca Fri Aug 1 11:03:08 2008 From: Leon.Wu at newswire.ca (Leon Wu) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 13:03:08 -0400 Subject: [TML] Mayday...mayday.... In-Reply-To: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: > -----Original Message----- > From: tml-bounces at travellercentral.com > [mailto:tml-bounces at travellercentral.com] On Behalf Of Robert Faust > Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 12:54 PM > To: tml at travellercentral.com > Subject: [TML] Mayday...mayday.... > > > Hi, I'm new to the list and am not sure if my email got > through, and I haven't seen anything come to me in digest form. > ? > So, can someone let me know if they received this? Message received... From ash at projectlongbow.com Fri Aug 1 11:04:00 2008 From: ash at projectlongbow.com (Ashley Greenall) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:04:00 +0100 Subject: [TML] Mayday...mayday.... In-Reply-To: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48934200.8040605@projectlongbow.com> Coming through loud and clear. Ash Robert Faust wrote: > Hi, I'm new to the list and am not sure if my email got through, and I haven't seen anything come to me in digest form. > > So, can someone let me know if they received this? > > Thanks, > > Faust > > > > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ > From rgd at travellercentral.com Fri Aug 1 12:30:16 2008 From: rgd at travellercentral.com (Rob Davenport) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 12:30:16 -0600 (MDT) Subject: [TML] Mayday...mayday.... In-Reply-To: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On Fri, 1 Aug 2008, Robert Faust wrote: > Hi, I'm new to the list and am not sure if my email got through, and I > haven't seen anything come to me in digest form. ? So, can someone let > me know if they received this? Just a reminder to the list, digests are currently set to be sent out only when the messages in the queue total at least 192KB. This is a compromise between readers who want digests more often, and those who've said they want fewer digests. Since it's been just a touch slow the past day or so, I think the digest just hadn't been sent out since Mr. Faust joined us (and welcome to the list!) Rob TML Listmom2 -- From Things We Learned at the Movies: 120. If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps. From infojunky at ceecom.net Fri Aug 1 14:07:35 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:07:35 -0700 Subject: [TML] Ping..... In-Reply-To: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <241265.61725.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48936D07.2020501@ceecom.net> Target acquired.... Robert Faust wrote: > Hi, I'm new to the list and am not sure if my email got through, and I haven't seen anything come to me in digest form. > > So, can someone let me know if they received this? > > Thanks, > > Faust > > > > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ > > -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From ewan at quibell.org.uk Fri Aug 1 14:14:25 2008 From: ewan at quibell.org.uk (Ewan Quibell) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:14:25 +0100 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> Robert Faust wrote: > Hi everyone, I'm Faust and I'm new to this list. I've been a Traveller nut since 1983 when I started with The Traveller Book. > > I recently purchased GURPS Traveller Ground Forces and was quite taken by the Sylean Rangers. > > I was wondering if any of you know of additional material, canon or not, that I can read up on about these guys? Specifically, uniforms, insignia, etc. as I plan on painting up some miniatures for my skirmish game as Sylean Rangers and am looking for more ideas. > > Thanks, > > Faust Hi Faust, Welcome. The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of Ground Forces: http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm and Doug is on the list, if he's reading it at the moment, so he might be able to offer some suggestions. But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! Better yet write up how you think there uniform should be and post it to the list. Best regards, Ewan -- ewan at quibell.org.uk They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon My spelling is entirerly due to dyslexia, typos, and poetic license From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Fri Aug 1 16:07:03 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:07:03 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> Message-ID: On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: > http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm What are the little grey cups in the jar in front of Doug reaching for his Coke? From infojunky at ceecom.net Fri Aug 1 16:25:18 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:25:18 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48938D4E.9050502@ceecom.net> Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: > >> http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm > > What are the little grey cups in the jar in front of Doug reaching for his > Coke? Little asian fruit jelly snacks, frequently lychee fruit. Common in lots of ethnic groceries here in the bay area. -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Fri Aug 1 20:25:21 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:25:21 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> Message-ID: On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: > The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of > Ground Forces: By the way, What are these guys doing on top of the take? Trying to cut their way in? From tiamat at tsoft.com Fri Aug 1 20:36:44 2008 From: tiamat at tsoft.com (Azalais Aranxta) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 19:36:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48938D4E.9050502@ceecom.net> References: <48938D4E.9050502@ceecom.net> Message-ID: <20080801193613.B91010@shell.rawbw.com> On Fri, 1 Aug 2008, Infojunky wrote: > Jerry W Barrington wrote: > > On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: > > > >> http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm > > > > What are the little grey cups in the jar in front of Doug reaching for his > > Coke? > > Little asian fruit jelly snacks, frequently lychee fruit. Common in lots > of ethnic groceries here in the bay area. The grey ones were taro-root flavoured. My favourite. I brought 'em. ~malfoy **************************************************************** Azalais Aranxta (~malfoy) ataniell93 on LiveJournal and Vox http://groups.yahoo.com/group/malfoymadness "I know the true world, and you know I do. But we needn't let it think we all bow down." --Christopher Fry From infojunky at ceecom.net Sat Aug 2 00:00:21 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:00:21 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <20080801193613.B91010@shell.rawbw.com> References: <48938D4E.9050502@ceecom.net> <20080801193613.B91010@shell.rawbw.com> Message-ID: <4893F7F5.9080805@ceecom.net> Azalais Aranxta wrote: > On Fri, 1 Aug 2008, Infojunky wrote: > >> Jerry W Barrington wrote: >>> On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: >>> >>>> http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm >>> What are the little grey cups in the jar in front of Doug reaching for his >>> Coke? >> Little asian fruit jelly snacks, frequently lychee fruit. Common in lots >> of ethnic groceries here in the bay area. > > The grey ones were taro-root flavoured. My favourite. I brought > 'em. Glad you could remember..... -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Sat Aug 2 10:27:33 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:27:33 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> Message-ID: <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> Ewan Quibell wrote: > Robert Faust wrote: >> Hi everyone, I'm Faust and I'm new to this list. I've been a Traveller nut since 1983 when I started with The Traveller Book. >> >> I recently purchased GURPS Traveller Ground Forces and was quite taken by the Sylean Rangers. >> >> I was wondering if any of you know of additional material, canon or not, that I can read up on about these guys? Specifically, uniforms, insignia, etc. as I plan on painting up some miniatures for my skirmish game as Sylean Rangers and am looking for more ideas. >> > The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of > Ground Forces: > > http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm God, that beret failed miserably. > and Doug is on the list, if he's reading it at the moment, so he might > be able to offer some suggestions. > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! Puce?! > Better yet write up how you think there uniform should be and post it to > the list. I describe the basic Army uniforms on page 24. I never really thought too much about distinctive insignia, although the character template on page 61 mentions "earning that beret" so I suppose I intended for the Rangers to wear a beret (the Marines probably giggle about the Army imitating them with this.) In my mind the Sylean Rangers would wear a distinctive cap/beret badge based on the SAS crest http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/graphics/sas.gif But I've always pictured it wreathed in flames, to represent a meteoric re-entry. There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. Doug. From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Sat Aug 2 10:30:01 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:30:01 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48948B89.70102@mindspring.com> Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/1/08 4:14 PM, "Ewan Quibell" wrote: > >> The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of >> Ground Forces: > > By the way, What are these guys doing on top of the take? Trying to cut > their way in? > > Probably. Blowing the hatch is a time-honored way of getting through the hard candy shell to the creamy goodness inside. Oh, Jesse put two in-jokes on that cover for me. Doug From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 11:01:20 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:01:20 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48948B89.70102@mindspring.com> Message-ID: On 8/2/08 12:30 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: > Jerry W Barrington wrote: > >> By the way, What are these guys doing on top of the take? Trying to cut >> their way in? >> >> > > Probably. Blowing the hatch is a time-honored way of getting through the > hard candy shell to the creamy goodness inside. You're right I suppose, but I've never understood why the hatch armor doesn't pretty well match the rest of the turret, with the hinges internal, of course. > Oh, Jesse put two in-jokes on that cover for me. Hmm. I'm guessing they're in the numbers on the hull, but being in-jokes I dunno. :) And maybe that crown-looking thing on the fender (kinda looks like flipping the finger...)? From threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com Sat Aug 2 13:14:53 2008 From: threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com (alan hume) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 19:14:53 +0000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> Message-ID: > There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean > Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If > anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look > into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green > Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were > based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. Hi Doug, I just saw your Baycon photos, nice one:.) the con looked like it was a blast and your uniform was pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons here in the UK though:.( Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book it's a tremendous book, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking about gaming Traveller seriously he thought it was that cool:.) Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras certainly did as do their modernday counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian SAS wear it as well as the SAS (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) the flames idea is really cool and it fits perfectly too, I wonder if the standard (if there is such a thing) drop troops would wear a similar badge (like a flaming comet or meteor) or some such design on their combat armour? Anyhow, here's a pipe dream of a plan for you, you and Martin J. Dougherty could get together one day and write a book (maybe along the lines of "Imperial Might - Army, Navy and Marines") between the two of you. I think it would truly be awesome (and most of the work is already done between your "Ground Forces" and his "Grand Fleet"If I had any money I would commision it but I don't so I can't:.( But seriously, can you imagine the book that would be:.) Best wishes Alan Hume > Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 09:27:33 -0700 > From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com > To: tml at travellercentral.com > Subject: Re: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers > > Ewan Quibell wrote: > > Robert Faust wrote: > >> Hi everyone, I'm Faust and I'm new to this list. I've been a Traveller nut since 1983 when I started with The Traveller Book. > >> > >> I recently purchased GURPS Traveller Ground Forces and was quite taken by the Sylean Rangers. > >> > >> I was wondering if any of you know of additional material, canon or not, that I can read up on about these guys? Specifically, uniforms, insignia, etc. as I plan on painting up some miniatures for my skirmish game as Sylean Rangers and am looking for more ideas. > >> > > The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of > > Ground Forces: > > > > http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm > > God, that beret failed miserably. > > > and Doug is on the list, if he's reading it at the moment, so he might > > be able to offer some suggestions. > > > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! > > Puce?! > > > Better yet write up how you think there uniform should be and post it to > > the list. > > I describe the basic Army uniforms on page 24. I never really thought > too much about distinctive insignia, although the character template on > page 61 mentions "earning that beret" so I suppose I intended for the > Rangers to wear a beret (the Marines probably giggle about the Army > imitating them with this.) > > In my mind the Sylean Rangers would wear a distinctive cap/beret badge > based on the SAS crest > > http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/graphics/sas.gif > > But I've always pictured it wreathed in flames, to represent a meteoric > re-entry. > > There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean > Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If > anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look > into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green > Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were > based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. > > Doug.Hi Doug, I just saw your photos, nice one:.) Baycon looked like it was a blast and the uniform was pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons here in the UK:.( Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book very cool, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking about gaming Traveller Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras, in WW2 wore it as do their modern counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian SAS wear it as well as the SAS (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ _________________________________________________________________ Win New York holidays with Kellogg?s & Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/107571440/direct/01/ From threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com Sat Aug 2 13:16:15 2008 From: threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com (alan hume) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 19:16:15 +0000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> Message-ID: > There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean > Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If > anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look > into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green > Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were > based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. Hi Doug, I just saw your Baycon photos, nice one:.) the con looked like it was a blast and your uniform was pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons here in the UK though:.( Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book it's a tremendous book, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking about gaming Traveller seriously he thought it was that cool:.) Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras certainly did as do their modernday counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian SAS wear it as well as the SAS (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) the flames idea is really cool and it fits perfectly too, I wonder if the standard (if there is such a thing) drop troops would wear a similar badge (like a flaming comet or meteor) or some such design on their combat armour? Anyhow, here's a pipe dream of a plan for you, you and Martin J. Dougherty could get together one day and write a book (maybe along the lines of "Imperial Might - Army, Navy and Marines") between the two of you. I think it would truly be awesome (and most of the work is already done between your "Ground Forces" and his "Grand Fleet"If I had any money I would commision it but I don't so I can't:.( But seriously, can you imagine the book that would be:.) Best wishes Alan Hume > Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 09:27:33 -0700 > From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com > To: tml at travellercentral.com > Subject: Re: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers > > Ewan Quibell wrote: > > Robert Faust wrote: > >> Hi everyone, I'm Faust and I'm new to this list. I've been a Traveller nut since 1983 when I started with The Traveller Book. > >> > >> I recently purchased GURPS Traveller Ground Forces and was quite taken by the Sylean Rangers. > >> > >> I was wondering if any of you know of additional material, canon or not, that I can read up on about these guys? Specifically, uniforms, insignia, etc. as I plan on painting up some miniatures for my skirmish game as Sylean Rangers and am looking for more ideas. > >> > > The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of > > Ground Forces: > > > > http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm > > God, that beret failed miserably. > > > and Doug is on the list, if he's reading it at the moment, so he might > > be able to offer some suggestions. > > > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! > > Puce?! > > > Better yet write up how you think there uniform should be and post it to > > the list. > > I describe the basic Army uniforms on page 24. I never really thought > too much about distinctive insignia, although the character template on > page 61 mentions "earning that beret" so I suppose I intended for the > Rangers to wear a beret (the Marines probably giggle about the Army > imitating them with this.) > > In my mind the Sylean Rangers would wear a distinctive cap/beret badge > based on the SAS crest > > http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/graphics/sas.gif > > But I've always pictured it wreathed in flames, to represent a meteoric > re-entry. > > There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean > Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If > anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look > into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green > Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were > based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. > > Doug.Hi Doug, I just saw your photos, nice one:.) Baycon looked like it was a blast and the uniform was pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons here in the UK:.( Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book very cool, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking about gaming Traveller Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras, in WW2 wore it as do their modern counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian SAS wear it as well as the SAS (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ _________________________________________________________________ Make a mini you on Windows Live Messenger! http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/107571437/direct/01/ From sayatmenace at earthlink.net Sat Aug 2 14:57:00 2008 From: sayatmenace at earthlink.net (The Sayat Menace) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 13:57:00 -0700 (GMT-07:00) Subject: [TML] Ditzie Spofulam: The Later Years Message-ID: <21865349.1217710620069.JavaMail.root@elwamui-sweet.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Found in Chapter 3 of "Riotous Assembly", by Tom Sharpe, 1971 (below, exercepted heavily for brevity). Wherein the elderly Ditzie, posing as a certain "Miss Hazelstone", has murdered her cook; the police arrive. ------------------------------------------ Reputation, it seemed to the Kommandant, was all that remained to Sir Theophilus. Certainly his bust had disappeared from its pedestal and lay fragmented over half an acre of otherwise spotless lawn. Beyond the lawn the trunks of the gum trees were gashed and splintered and the azalea bushes looked as though they had been the subject of the concentrated attention of some very largeand desperately hungry animal. Branches and leaves lay scattered and torn in a gap some twenty yards across. For a moment the Kommandant drew fresh hope that Fivepence's sudden death must have been the result not of any human agency but of some natural cataclysm. She sat, a thin, angular, almost frail elderly lady dressed in dark chiffon with lace to her throat, in a frail, elderly wicker chari complete with an unnecessary antimacassar and cradled in her lap a weapon which startled Kommandant van Heerden and even Kostabel Els and which explained all too readily the scene of devastation that lay beyond the contorted figure of Fivepence and the bustless pedestal. It was a four-barrelled rifle, some six feet in length and its bore was of a diameter so large that it suggested one of Sir Theophilus' favourite weapons, the ten-inch naval gun. The Kommandant eyed the rifle cautiously. "What is it?" he inquired at last. "It's a magazine-loaded multi-barrelled elephant gun," Miss Hazelstone replied. "Its rate of fire is forty bullets a minute and it can incapacitate a charging elephant at a thousand yards." "That rifle is far too heavy for a woman... I beg your pardon, for a lady to use," he said and regretted the remark almost as soon as it was made. She rose from her chair and aimed the great rifle into the garden. The Kommandant had discounted any possibility that she might fire the thing. Konstabel Els, for once, acted with greater resourcefulness and threw himself to the ground. That the ground he chose was already occupied by a large Doberman Pinscher [...] was lost to Kommandant van Heerden as Miss Hazelstone, aiming now at the ground and now at the sky, pulled the trigger. The Kommandant, who was standing some eighteen inches to the right of the four barrels and almost level with their muzzles and who, but an instant before, had been a rational-thinking human being in full possession of his senses, found himself as it seemed to him, in a vast and rapidly expanding bubble of flame. The sensible world of the garden, sky, twittering birds, even the screams of Els being savaged by the Doberman, all disappeared. Kommandant van Heerden knew only the absolute silence at the still heart of an enormous explosion. There was no pain, no anxiety, no thought, only the certain realization, not that the end of the world was at hand, but tht it had already been irremediably accomplished. For one brief, illuminating moment Kommandant van Heerden experienced the highest form of mystical understanding, total bodily dissolution. It was some time before he returned to the world of physical sensation and too late for him to hear anything of the thunderclap that had volleyed forth from Jacaranda Park in the direction of the Drakensberg Mountains. With the glazed eyes of an awakened sleepwalker and the singed moustache that comes from standing too close to an enormous gun barrel, he looked at the scene around him. It was not one to reassure a man doubtful of his own sanity. Konstabel Els' contretemps with the Doberman had been exacerbated, to put it mildly, by the broadside. It was doubtful which of the two animals had been more maddened by the roar of the elephant gun. Kommandant van Heerden turned what remained of his attention away from this unpleasant spectacle and tried to look at Miss Hazelstone who lay stunned but satisfied in the wicker chair where the kick of the rifle had thrown her. Through his singed eyelashes the Kommandant could partially see that she was addressing him because her lips were moving but it was some minutes before he recovered his hearing sufficiently to be able to make out what she was saying. Her second firing had destroyed what remained of the pedestal on which Sir Theophilus' bust had stood and, being aimed at ground level, had almost obliterated all traces of Fivepence's recently obeisant corpse. Almost but not entirely, for the fragmentary and dispersed remains of Sir Theophilus' bust had been joined on their widely separated patches of lawn by the no less fragmentary and dispersed remains of the late Zulu cook, while patches of black skin had attached themselves limpet-like to the blasted trunks of the gum trees that fringed the once-immaculate lawn. Kommandant van Heerden couldn't bring himself to focus on the round black object that kept trying to draw attention to itself by swinging wistfully from a branch in the upper reaches of an otherwise attractive blue gum. Down the centre of the lawn the elephant gun had cut a straight trench some eight inches in depth and fifteen yards long from whose serrated edges arose what the Kommandant despairingly hoped was steam. ----------------------------------- (The Kommandant tries to think of a way to cover up "Miss Hazelstone's" criminal behavior (and sex life); he phones HQ and summons heavily armed reinforcements. Unfortunately, he also orders Konstabel Els to ensure that no one enters the grounds of Jacaranda Park. Els takes the gun and conceals himself in a heavily fortified bunker overlooking the drive...) ----------------------------------- ... the sight of his only possible ally scuttling away and leaving him in the lurch convinced the deperate Els that the time had come to use the elephant gun if here were not to die alone and deserted at the hands of the desperados down the road. He could see movement in the bushes on the hillside opposite him and he decided to try a volley there. He mounted the great multi-barreled rifle in the gun port, aimed at the bushes concealing the plain-clothes men and gently pulled the trigger. The detonation that followed was of an intensity and had about it a seismic quality which came, when he could pick himself off the floor of the blockhouse where the recoil had thrown him, as a complete surprise to Konstabel Els. This time he could appreciate the true qualities of the weapon. The four barrels of the elephant gun erupting simultaneously had opened up a vista before him he never would have believed possible. The great wrought-iron gates of Jacaranda Park lay a twisted and reeking heap of partially molten and totally unidentifiable metal. The stone gateposts had disintegrated. The boars rampant sculpted in grainte that had surmounted the posts would ramp no more, while the roadway itself bore witness to the heat of the gasses propelling the shells in the shape of four lines of molten and gleaming tarmac which pointed down to what had once been the thick bushes that had obscured his view of his adversaries. Konstabel Els had no need now to complain that he couldn't see what he was shooting at. The cover his enemies had used was quite gone. The hillside was bare, barren and scorched and it was doubtful if it would ever regain its original look. There was no such doubt about the five objects that remained littering the ground. Bare, barren, and horribly mutilated, the five plain-clothes policemen who had sought cover from Els' fire in the bushes needed far more cover now than mere bushes could provide. Dying instantaneously, they had in some sense been luckier than their surviving comrades, some of whom, Els noted with satisfaction, were wandering about naked and blackened and clearly in a state of mental confusion. Els took advantage of their defencelessness and shocked state to wing a couple with his revolver and wasn't very surprised that they seemed to take little notice of these new wounds which were obviously an anti-climax after the ravages of the elephant gun. Standing in the turret of the leading armoured car, Luitenant Verkramp had heard the enormous explosion and had immediately jumped to the conclusion that the magazine at the police barracks had been blown up by saboteurs. [...] In one last desperate move to avert tragedy, Konstabel Els aimed the elephant gun at the armoured car. He held his fire until the Saracen was only ten yards from the gate and then pulled the trigger. Again and again he fired, and with a mixture of awe and satisfaction saw, silhouetted against the searchlight, the great armoured vehicle grind to a halt and begin to disintegrate. Its guns were silenced, its tyres were shreds of rubber and its occupants trickled gently but persistently through a hundred holes drilled in its sides. He fired his last shot. The searchlight exploded into darkness and Els, with desperate energy, gathered up all the evidence of his recent occupation and stumbled out of the blockhouse and dragging his awful accomplice, sneaked off across the Park. --------------------------------------- K. From richardtalbotuk at yahoo.co.uk Sat Aug 2 15:38:11 2008 From: richardtalbotuk at yahoo.co.uk (R Talbot) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:38:11 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [TML] BITS at Gencon UK 2008 Message-ID: <672143.87840.qm@web24104.mail.ird.yahoo.com> British Isles Traveller Support are pleased to announce we will be attending Gencon UK 2008 from 28th to 31st August 2008 at Reading University, Reading, England. As with previous years, we will be running a series of RPG tables using the new Mongoose Traveller ruleset. Our new RPG adventures will be based around the continuing saga of the trader ship Angels Share in a linked series of adventures set in the Spinward Marches. Parts 1-3 were run at Gencon UK 2007 and Parts 4-6 will be the main feature this year. As part of the convention, BITS Director Andy Lilly will also be running a special Charity Auction game with Loren guest playing and the other 5 places going to the highest bidders. We will also be running demos of Power Projection: Fleet (PP:F), our Traveller starship combat game, written by Dom Mooney. More details of scenario times and general convention details located at http://www.genconuk.com As always find us at http://www.bitsuk.net and http://www.powerprojection.net for more info on BITS and PP:F Thanks The BITS Team Supporting Traveller in all forms since 1996...Donations of anagathics always welcome __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 16:19:58 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:19:58 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: Message-ID: On 8/2/08 3:14 PM, "alan hume" wrote: > I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future Lasting into the far future is one thing... but if I'm not mistaken, the Sylean empire had had no contact with Sol. So it would be a parallel development, not a descendant of the modern symbol. From threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com Sat Aug 2 16:43:42 2008 From: threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com (alan hume) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 22:43:42 +0000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > Lasting into the far future is one thing... but if I'm not mistaken, the > Sylean empire had had no contact with Sol. So it would be a parallel > development, not a descendant of the modern symbol. > Ah, bugger, you got me there maybe they just stole it:.) Alan > Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 18:19:58 -0400 > From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com > To: tml at travellercentral.com > Subject: Re: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers > > On 8/2/08 3:14 PM, "alan hume" wrote: > > > I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future > > Lasting into the far future is one thing... but if I'm not mistaken, the > Sylean empire had had no contact with Sol. So it would be a parallel > development, not a descendant of the modern symbol. > > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ _________________________________________________________________ Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/107571435/direct/01/ From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 19:27:20 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:27:20 -0400 Subject: [TML] Rocket racing leage In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021827k3c7340b5k90c2e36a36241ff7@mail.gmail.com> On Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 5:52 PM, Knapp wrote: > I would laugh but they seem to be for real! > http://www.space.com/xprizecup/video/player.php?video_id=XPC_RockRace > How much more SF can you get? All I got was an ad for a Stargate-movie DVD . . . which would be interesting . . . if I had kept up with the series these past several years. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 19:32:24 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:32:24 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: References: <1c92296e0807300956h36f484dfj610f492b54005099@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021832i10660f60qdf33ee2e9761ae46@mail.gmail.com> On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 7:55 PM, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > Ah, but if we're going by canon, canon describes the drug as functioning for > 60 days, with no such side effects mentioned. > > Besides, the description here hasn't said you're necessarily unconscious, > just that 60 days feels like 1. So you still have the ability to use the > bathroom. That's how it seems to work in "The Winds of Gath" - except not quite to that degree. More like a week or two to the day. And the drug takes a goodly while to work itself completely out of your system. This becomes an important early plot point. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From robocon at ozemail.com.au Sat Aug 2 19:36:37 2008 From: robocon at ozemail.com.au (Robert O'Connor) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:36:37 +1000 Subject: [TML] Low Berths Message-ID: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Hans Rancke-Madsen wrote: > The problem (which is nowhere as severe as many others) is that 'Slow > Berths' has never been mentioned as an available option. If they really > were superior to Low Berths, why don't we hear about them? The consequences were not explored. So it was the start of a premise thrown out there for people to play with in their own campaigns. At least that's my take on it. Using fast drug in the manner described in this thread and elsewhere is insane unless it prevents a number of problems, only one of which David Smart has hinted at. By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away. At that stage, muscles are unable to contract, brain electrical activity is negligible, and any sudden movement can precipitate cardiac dysrhythmias that cannot be reversed until rewarming to at least 30C (86F) occurs. There is a requirement for monitoring and hydration if you want a revival rate that's more successful than that canonically given for low berthing. Otherwise you're left with 'long pork' cold cuts. You are dealing with someone who looks like a corpse. Fast drug is therefore an ideal way of faking a death or killing someone at lower tech levels. Other problems associated with cooling and the attendant immobility include: - Deep venous thrombosis due to blood pooling in the legs and pelvic veins. - Cold-induced derangements of coagulation (bleed in some places, clot in others). - Suppression of adrenal and immune function. Pathogen overgrowth, rot. - Pneumonia from failure to clear pooled oral and airway secretions. - Reduction in circulating blood volume. - 'Resetting' of postural cardiovascular reflexes, leading to dizziness (or fainting) on sitting up or standing. - Pressure sores in dependent areas. - Bone demineralisation and muscle wasting. These are listed in approximate temporal order. You need to have a slightly faster metabolic rate to do the last few items on the list over the week in jump. If fast drug can prevent or modify some of the problems on the above list, it is far more useful than the limited application that we started out with. It's a universal antibiotic, immune and coagulation modifier, cardiac stimulant, bone remineralizer, etc. In other words, similar to anagathics. Kelly St. Clair wrote: > So is Fast Drug actually used for anything in your TU, or are you throwing > this particular baby out with the bathwater? In which case, it might be > simplest to just remove it entirely. I do not see Fast Drug having a legitimate clinical use except for one situation - to delay the death of a critically ill patient until they can reach a place of definitive care where low berthing is not available as a transport option. The criminal uses have been hinted at above. Robert O'Connor medico, gamer From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Sat Aug 2 19:51:47 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:51:47 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> Message-ID: <48950F33.1050403@mindspring.com> alan hume wrote: > >> There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean >> Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If >> anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look >> into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green >> Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were >> based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. > > Hi Doug, > I just saw your Baycon photos, nice one:.) > the con looked like it was a blast and your uniform was > pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons > here in the UK though:.( You can blame that man of many talents, Jesse DeGraff for the guns. We only carried them during the party, since they violated the Baycon "the SJPD have quick trigger fingers" rule. > Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book > it's a tremendous book, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking > about gaming Traveller seriously he thought it was that cool:.) Thanks so much! > Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all > many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras certainly did as do their modernday >counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian SAS wear it as well as the SAS (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) Well, edged weapons and wings have worked as military symbols for centuries. > the flames idea is really cool and it fits perfectly too, I wonder if the standard (if there is such a thing) drop troops would wear a similar badge (like a flaming comet or meteor) or some such design on their combat armour? There is a standard badge for being Drop Capsule Qualified. I saw it as a stylized capsule with a set of wings spread out to the sides. The Marines make a point of *not* wearing theirs because all Marines are jump-trained. > Anyhow, here's a pipe dream of a plan for you, you and Martin J. Dougherty could get together one day and write a book (maybe along the lines of "Imperial Might - Army, Navy and Marines") between the two of you. > I think it would truly be awesome (and most of the work is already done between your "Ground Forces" and his "Grand Fleet"If I had any money I would commision it but I don't so I can't:.( > > But seriously, can you imagine the book that would be:.) It might be cool, although we've already covered that ground pretty well in our separate works. Doug From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Sat Aug 2 19:56:45 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:56:45 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4895105D.3000300@mindspring.com> Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/2/08 3:14 PM, "alan hume" wrote: > >> I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far future > > Lasting into the far future is one thing... but if I'm not mistaken, the > Sylean empire had had no contact with Sol. So it would be a parallel > development, not a descendant of the modern symbol. Actually, one of the claims of legitimacy for the Third Imperium was that Sylea was home to one of the last governments claiming to be the Rule of Man. So obviously there were Terran military and naval resources in the area, and those, as the Long Night deepened, would have a heavy influence on what would become the Sylean Federation's military establishment. Also, most military organizations are very much into lineage and tradition. So in the early days of the 3I, Cleon was probably raiding history books for every scrape of Terran Glory he could find to bring back the idea of Empire to the masses. Doug, History Geek at Large. From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 20:05:22 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 22:05:22 -0400 Subject: [TML] Weird jump phenomena (was jump weapons) In-Reply-To: <4891FA7D.20034.5887B81@shadow.shadowgard.com> References: <48910bdb8c9099.67397799@pcug.org.au> <27c976de0807302004n130a30dcyd2e26e057c173b86@mail.gmail.com> <4891FA7D.20034.5887B81@shadow.shadowgard.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021905x69df43c2teb43256d3b6f0f5b@mail.gmail.com> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 8:46 PM, wrote: > Given that jump space isn't well understood, I thought of a couple of > "natural" phenomena that could make for interesting "color". > I used quotes around "natural" becsause they might actually be > artifacts left behind by the Ancients. > Either one of these effects could affect more than one system. > More fun is if they affect only *part* of a system. > More useful as "local color" or "mysteries of the galaxy" than as > gaming material. Except for the "part of a system" version. > And probably lots of other things. Hey Leonard, A while back, I bought the WoD book "Midnight Roads." It's full of advice about running a nomadic WoD campaign (rather than the usual sedentary, city-based one). While I don't like the game system for beans, I find that WoD supplements like this one are really interesting. "Midnight Roads" did not dissappoint. I mention this because there are two adventures therein which are very similar to what you posted. The first is a town that exists outside time. The characters find a "Deliverance" style hick town . . . then find they can't leave it. Turns out the local "rich weird eccentric" made a deal with Something back at the start of the Great Depression, a deal that would "protect" everyone from the disaster befalling the rest of the world. The further the PCs get from town, the stranger and more dangerous/monsterous everything becomes. The actual way out for the characters is left up to the Storyteller. But over the decades of unmoving time, the townsfolk have discovered their own way out: *persuading* travelers - through whatever means necessary - to say the words "I will take your place in [Town Name]." Whoever can do this can then leave without any trouble. The poor traveler, however, ends up very gruesomely dead when the next dawn arrives. I've been thinking that this would make a cool "lost world" scenario. The players are visiting an out-of-the-way system that's listed by the IISS as uninhabited. But when they come out of jump, the stars are subtly wrong. While the navigator ponders the problem, they head in toward the "abandoned" asteroid settlement. Only it's not really abandoned, but rather inhabited by folks who speak a strange stilted dialect of Gallanglic and are dressed/equipped with vintage Vilani gear. Then the navigator finally figures out that the stars are just right, if the date were actually -1776. If the PCs try to jump out, the seconds leading up to jump initiation drag out FOREVER . . . as THINGS ooze through from jump space and start attacking. The only way to survive them (until they find the McGuffin) is to abort the jump sequence. The second Midnight Road adventure is even weirder. It's a Road that has died. When the character's reach the end of it (the pavement peters out in an empty field . . .), they discover that they can't leave. Also, after a time, they realize that are (effectively) dead - complete with appropriate ghostly powers. Then the spirir of the Road begins to manifest as dopplegangers, one for each party member, trying to get them all to die for real. The only way out is to persuade the Road that (like any other ghost) it's actually dead and should give up and "pass on." I think this would make a great misjump adventure, for one of those jumps that just keeps going and going and going and . . . About the end of Week Two, the events described above start happening. Only if the Jump Space doppelgangers can be convinced that they aren't *really* the PCs does the jump finally end . . . at the correct destination, after only the usual week. As far as anyone else can tell, the PCs all had a collective nightmare . . . -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 20:16:19 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:16:19 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Message-ID: On 8/2/08 9:36 PM, "Robert O'Connor" wrote: > By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls > over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is > a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away. All your comments following this seem to be derived from the body temperature problem... Never heard of blankets & heating pads?!? > I do not see Fast Drug having a legitimate clinical use except for one > situation - to delay the death of a critically ill patient until they > can reach a place of definitive care where low berthing is not available > as a transport option. Which has all the same problems of using it for travel. If you solve one, you've solved the other. From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 20:20:59 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 22:20:59 -0400 Subject: [TML] jump weapons In-Reply-To: References: <27c976de0807302004n130a30dcyd2e26e057c173b86@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021920s27324e4epe5d665ca0e5bf1f8@mail.gmail.com> Someone once pointed me to a series of posts by a list member, which did a very good job of integrating all the applicable canon with real-world knowledge to yeild a workable jump sequence. Unfortunately, I can't remember who/where. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 20:29:01 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 22:29:01 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <4891FA7C.14956.58877B9@shadow.shadowgard.com> References: <4891FA7C.14956.58877B9@shadow.shadowgard.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021929v1ac690c6y15c0dd3a5dd99873@mail.gmail.com> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 8:46 PM, wrote: > On 28 Jul 2008 at 16:53, Leon Wu wrote: > It's consistent with the stories that slow drug, fast drug, low > bergths (and the low lottery) were borrowed from: E C Tubb's > "Dumarest" stories. Granted, I've only read "The Winds of Gath" thus far (although I intend to buy the rest, as finances allow). But I didn't get that at all. Low passage shouldn't be taken by *unhealthy* folks - these would die - but a reasonably healthy person wasn't taking very much risk. It was simply the cheapest way to travel. The "low lottery" which shows up in this book - run by the merchant who owns/runs the only real settlement on Gath - is arranged to *give* one lucky Traveller a Low Passage ticket as their prize. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From raikenclw at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 20:48:21 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 22:48:21 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: <48948B89.70102@mindspring.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808021948v58e753a1pea8d226c5c72ecdb@mail.gmail.com> On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 1:01 PM, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > You're right I suppose, but I've never understood why the hatch armor > doesn't pretty well match the rest of the turret, with the hinges internal, > of course. The hatch can only be secured at the hinge and locking points, rather than being a solid piece of the cast hull. Thus it simply has to be (comparatively) weaker. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sat Aug 2 21:27:00 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:27:00 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <5aca9be50808021948v58e753a1pea8d226c5c72ecdb@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: On 8/2/08 10:48 PM, "Richard Aiken" wrote: > On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 1:01 PM, Jerry W Barrington > wrote: >> You're right I suppose, but I've never understood why the hatch armor >> doesn't pretty well match the rest of the turret, with the hinges internal, >> of course. > > The hatch can only be secured at the hinge and locking points, rather > than being a solid piece of the cast hull. Thus it simply has to be > (comparatively) weaker. By the hatch armor matching, I meant that it should be basically the same thickness/armor value. If the hinge and lock are internal, they aren't much of a vulnerability. And if the locking points work like the locking lugs of an M16 bolt carrier, and are internal, they'd be damn strong. From eclipse at urbin.net Sat Aug 2 22:02:38 2008 From: eclipse at urbin.net (Mark Urbin) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:02:38 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> References: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Message-ID: <48952DDE.7060605@urbin.net> Robert O'Connor wrote: [snip] > I do not see Fast Drug having a legitimate clinical use except for one > situation - to delay the death of a critically ill patient until they > can reach a place of definitive care where low berthing is not available > as a transport option. Ahhh...like the drug "Hiberzine" in John Ringo's Legacy of the Aldenata books. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.urbin.net/EWW/ http://urbin.net/blog "Your book is dictated by the soundest reason. You had better get out of France as quickly as you can." -- Voltaire ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From shadow at shadowgard.com Sat Aug 2 23:45:47 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:45:47 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: <48948B89.70102@mindspring.com>, Message-ID: <4894E39B.3882.3B4B0A6@shadow.shadowgard.com> On 2 Aug 2008 at 13:01, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/2/08 12:30 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: > > > Jerry W Barrington wrote: > > > >> By the way, What are these guys doing on top of the take? Trying to cut > >> their way in? > >> > >> > > > > Probably. Blowing the hatch is a time-honored way of getting through the > > hard candy shell to the creamy goodness inside. > > You're right I suppose, but I've never understood why the hatch armor > doesn't pretty well match the rest of the turret, with the hinges internal, > of course. The *seam* between hatch and hull is an inherent weakpoint. So is the latching mechanism, for that matter. -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From shadow at shadowgard.com Sat Aug 2 23:45:47 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:45:47 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com>, <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk>, <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> Message-ID: <4894E39B.30881.3B4B11E@shadow.shadowgard.com> On 2 Aug 2008 at 9:27, Douglas Berry wrote: > Ewan Quibell wrote: > > The guy in the Imperial Army Uniform is the Doug Berry, the author of > > Ground Forces: > > > > http://visionforgestudios.com/jesse/traveller/baycon_2000.htm > > God, that beret failed miserably. So do a lot of uniform elements on various uniforms. > > and Doug is on the list, if he's reading it at the moment, so he might > > be able to offer some suggestions. > > > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! > > Puce?! Hey, the things bureaucrats inflict on the troops have been worse at times. -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com Sun Aug 3 03:37:37 2008 From: threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com (alan hume) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 09:37:37 +0000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <48950F33.1050403@mindspring.com> References: <697153.28776.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <48936EA1.5040803@quibell.org.uk> <48948AF5.5090006@mindspring.com> <48950F33.1050403@mindspring.com> Message-ID: Hi Doug, I never realised Baycon was in San Jose, I thought it was in SF an old schosolmate of mine used to live in San Jose (he married a surfer girl:.) so I stayed with him a while back, great place (pity I never went inside the Winchester mystery house though) > You can blame that man of many talents, Jesse DeGraff for the guns. We > only carried them during the party, since they violated the Baycon "the > SJPD have quick trigger fingers" rule. Heh, Jesse Degraffe huh, well I know the name if not the man, his fame goes before him:.) > Well, edged weapons and wings have worked as military symbols for centuries. good point, I didnt even consider that, I did indeed mean every word on Ground Forces, that is probably jostling for position with Mercenary as my favourite Traveller book ever:.) (saying that star mercs is cool too though:.) > There is a standard badge for being Drop Capsule Qualified. I saw it as > a stylized capsule with a set of wings spread out to the sides. The > Marines make a point of *not* wearing theirs because all Marines are > jump-trained. ah, that's neat, and yep, I can see why the Marines would make a point of not wearing theirs (but hey, that's because they can, I aint gonna argue with them that's for sure:.) > It might be cool, although we've already covered that ground pretty well > in our separate works. True enough, but still, just think it would be really something indeed if you guys pooled your talents someday anyhow, gotta go All the best Alan Hume > Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 18:51:47 -0700 > From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com > To: tml at travellercentral.com > Subject: Re: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers > > alan hume wrote: > > > >> There really isn't that much canonical information about the Sylean > >> Rangers. I had to use the name since it had appeared in print before. If > >> anyone wants to get more information for using them in the game, look > >> into the exploits of the British SAS, the US Special Forces (the Green > >> Berets) and other such special-ops units. The Marine Commandos were > >> based on Navy SEALS, the Royal Marine Commando, and Spetznatz. > > > > Hi Doug, > > I just saw your Baycon photos, nice one:.) > > the con looked like it was a blast and your uniform was > > pretty darn neat (we never would have got away with the weapons > > here in the UK though:.( > > You can blame that man of many talents, Jesse DeGraff for the guns. We > only carried them during the party, since they violated the Baycon "the > SJPD have quick trigger fingers" rule. > > > Ground Forces, it has to be said, is probably the ultimate Traveller Army/Marines book > > it's a tremendous book, I lent it out to one of the Munchkins at our local RPG group and I think it got him thinking > > about gaming Traveller seriously he thought it was that cool:.) > > Thanks so much! > > > Giving the Sylean Rangers the SAS crest if pretty neat, and actually highly believable, after all > > many allied forces wore it in WW2, the French and Belgian paras certainly did as do their modernday > >counterparts additionally, the current day New Zealand and Australian > SAS wear it as well as the SAS > (is there anyone I have missed out?:.) so, I for one can see no > reason why it couldn't last out till the far future:.) > > Well, edged weapons and wings have worked as military symbols for centuries. > > > the flames idea is really cool and it fits perfectly too, I wonder if the standard (if there is such a thing) > drop troops would wear a similar badge (like a flaming comet or > meteor) or some such design on their combat armour? > > There is a standard badge for being Drop Capsule Qualified. I saw it as > a stylized capsule with a set of wings spread out to the sides. The > Marines make a point of *not* wearing theirs because all Marines are > jump-trained. > > > Anyhow, here's a pipe dream of a plan for you, you and Martin J. Dougherty could get together one day and write a book (maybe along the lines of "Imperial Might - Army, Navy and Marines") between the two of you. > > I think it would truly be awesome (and most of the work is already done between your "Ground Forces" and his "Grand Fleet"If I had any money I would commision it but I don't so I can't:.( > > > > But seriously, can you imagine the book that would be:.) > > It might be cool, although we've already covered that ground pretty well > in our separate works. > > Doug > > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ _________________________________________________________________ Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/107571435/direct/01/ From threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com Sun Aug 3 03:40:59 2008 From: threeeyesmcgurk at hotmail.com (alan hume) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 09:40:59 +0000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <4895105D.3000300@mindspring.com> References: <4895105D.3000300@mindspring.com> Message-ID: > > Actually, one of the claims of legitimacy for the Third Imperium was > that Sylea was home to one of the last governments claiming to be the > Rule of Man. So obviously there were Terran military and naval resources > in the area, and those, as the Long Night deepened, would have a heavy > influence on what would become the Sylean Federation's military > establishment. Also, most military organizations are very much into > lineage and tradition. So in the early days of the 3I, Cleon was > probably raiding history books for every scrape of Terran Glory he could > find to bring back the idea of Empire to the masses. > > Doug, History Geek at Large. > That's a pretty neat hypothesis, thanks Doug Alan Hume _________________________________________________________________ Win New York holidays with Kellogg?s & Live Search http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/107571440/direct/01/ From brad at fineby.me.uk Sun Aug 3 04:25:51 2008 From: brad at fineby.me.uk (Brad Rogers) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 11:25:51 +0100 Subject: [TML] Rocket racing leage In-Reply-To: <5aca9be50808021827k3c7340b5k90c2e36a36241ff7@mail.gmail.com> References: <5aca9be50808021827k3c7340b5k90c2e36a36241ff7@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20080803112551.69e7cb2d@abydos.stargate.org.uk> On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:27:20 -0400 "Richard Aiken" wrote: Hello Richard, > All I got was an ad for a Stargate-movie DVD It follows immediately after that commercial. They've got to pay for the site somehow. -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" This is the fifty first state of the USA Heartland - The The From magick.crow at gmail.com Sun Aug 3 10:26:09 2008 From: magick.crow at gmail.com (Knapp) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 18:26:09 +0200 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> References: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Message-ID: On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 3:36 AM, Robert O'Connor wrote: > Hans Rancke-Madsen wrote: >> The problem (which is nowhere as severe as many others) is that 'Slow >> Berths' has never been mentioned as an available option. If they really >> were superior to Low Berths, why don't we hear about them? > > The consequences were not explored. So it was the start of a premise > thrown out there for people to play with in their own campaigns. > > At least that's my take on it. > > Using fast drug in the manner described in this thread and elsewhere is > insane unless it prevents a number of problems, only one of which David > Smart has hinted at. > > By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls > over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is > a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away. > > At that stage, muscles are unable to contract, brain electrical activity > is negligible, and any sudden movement can precipitate cardiac > dysrhythmias that cannot be reversed until rewarming to at least 30C > (86F) occurs. > > There is a requirement for monitoring and hydration if you want a > revival rate that's more successful than that canonically given for low > berthing. Otherwise you're left with 'long pork' cold cuts. > > You are dealing with someone who looks like a corpse. Fast drug is > therefore an ideal way of faking a death or killing someone at lower > tech levels. > > Other problems associated with cooling and the attendant immobility include: > - Deep venous thrombosis due to blood pooling in the legs and pelvic veins. > - Cold-induced derangements of coagulation (bleed in some places, clot > in others). > - Suppression of adrenal and immune function. Pathogen overgrowth, rot. > - Pneumonia from failure to clear pooled oral and airway secretions. > - Reduction in circulating blood volume. > - 'Resetting' of postural cardiovascular reflexes, leading to dizziness > (or fainting) on sitting up or standing. > - Pressure sores in dependent areas. > - Bone demineralisation and muscle wasting. > > These are listed in approximate temporal order. You need to have a > slightly faster metabolic rate to do the last few items on the list over > the week in jump. > > If fast drug can prevent or modify some of the problems on the above > list, it is far more useful than the limited application that we started > out with. It's a universal antibiotic, immune and coagulation modifier, > cardiac stimulant, bone remineralizer, etc. In other words, similar to > anagathics. > > Kelly St. Clair wrote: >> So is Fast Drug actually used for anything in your TU, or are you throwing >> this particular baby out with the bathwater? In which case, it might be >> simplest to just remove it entirely. > > I do not see Fast Drug having a legitimate clinical use except for one > situation - to delay the death of a critically ill patient until they > can reach a place of definitive care where low berthing is not available > as a transport option. > > The criminal uses have been hinted at above. > > > Robert O'Connor > medico, gamer Many on these problems are not problem depending on what is meant by "slower metabolism"; for example, muscle wasting and many other things listed. For this "drug" to be real it would really need to be many drugs put together. Who knows what each one does? Some might slow down enzymatic actions or speed up other. Some might prevent pathogens from taking over. This is so past our tech that it is really hard to say what is going on. The mitochondria must be effect and controlled for sure. Something must be effecting atp-adp reactions etc, etc. Can you really say what would be the side effects of this drug without knowing what it is doing and to what pathways? Is this a hibernation drug? Many mammals can do this well. -- Douglas E Knapp http://sf-journey-creations.wikispot.org/Front_Page From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sun Aug 3 12:00:35 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:00:35 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: Message-ID: On 8/3/08 12:26 PM, "Knapp" wrote: > Is this a hibernation drug? Many mammals can do this well. And hibernation may well be latent in all mammals... From shadow at shadowgard.com Sun Aug 3 14:39:42 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:39:42 -0700 Subject: [TML] Weird jump phenomena (was jump weapons) In-Reply-To: <5aca9be50808021905x69df43c2teb43256d3b6f0f5b@mail.gmail.com> References: <48910bdb8c9099.67397799@pcug.org.au>, <4891FA7D.20034.5887B81@shadow.shadowgard.com>, <5aca9be50808021905x69df43c2teb43256d3b6f0f5b@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <4895B51E.2247.6E71D8B@shadow.shadowgard.com> On 2 Aug 2008 at 22:05, Richard Aiken wrote: > A while back, I bought the WoD book "Midnight Roads." It's full of > advice about running a nomadic WoD campaign (rather than the usual > sedentary, city-based one). While I don't like the game system for > beans, I find that WoD supplements like this one are really > interesting. "Midnight Roads" did not dissappoint. > > I mention this because there are two adventures therein which are very > similar to what you posted. The first is a town that exists outside > time. The characters find a "Deliverance" style hick town . . . then > find they can't leave it. Turns out the local "rich weird eccentric" > made a deal with Something back at the start of the Great Depression, > a deal that would "protect" everyone from the disaster befalling the > rest of the world. The further the PCs get from town, the stranger > and more dangerous/monsterous everything becomes. The actual way out > for the characters is left up to the Storyteller. But over the > decades of unmoving time, the townsfolk have discovered their own way > out: *persuading* travelers - through whatever means necessary - to > say the words "I will take your place in [Town Name]." Whoever can do > this can then leave without any trouble. The poor traveler, however, > ends up very gruesomely dead when the next dawn arrives. Sounds like they filed the serial numbers off an Outer Limits episode. Remind me (I'm not at home right now or I'd check) and I'll look up which one (has to be season 1 of the original series, because that's the only one I have the DVDs of) > The second Midnight Road adventure is even weirder. It's a Road that > has died. When the character's reach the end of it (the pavement > peters out in an empty field . . .), they discover that they can't > leave. Also, after a time, they realize that are (effectively) dead > - complete with appropriate ghostly powers. Then the spirir of the > Road begins to manifest as dopplegangers, one for each party member, > trying to get them all to die for real. The only way out is to > persuade the Road that (like any other ghost) it's actually dead and > should give up and "pass on." > > I think this would make a great misjump adventure, for one of those > jumps that just keeps going and going and going and . . . About the > end of Week Two, the events described above start happening. Only if > the Jump Space doppelgangers can be convinced that they aren't > *really* the PCs does the jump finally end . . . at the correct > destination, after only the usual week. As far as anyone else can > tell, the PCs all had a collective nightmare . . . Well, there's also the old idea of a misjump that takes the PCs thru time as well as space. Great for jumping players from pre-Rebellion to one of the settings long after. And there's always the idea mentioned in a couple of Andre Norton's books. Ship (implied to be ones with early versions of the star drive) popping out of hyperspace over worlds *centuries* after they jumped. Crews long dead of course. -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From shadow at shadowgard.com Sun Aug 3 14:39:43 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:39:43 -0700 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: References: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au>, Message-ID: <4895B51F.9919.6E71E0D@shadow.shadowgard.com> On 2 Aug 2008 at 22:16, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/2/08 9:36 PM, "Robert O'Connor" wrote: > > > By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls > > over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is > > a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away. > > All your comments following this seem to be derived from the body > temperature problem... > > Never heard of blankets & heating pads?!? Not practical if you are going to be moving around. *Years* back the list's resident medic did a rather thorough breakdown of all the things that would happen with fast drug. Most of them even worse than the listed items. I do recall that if you raise the body temp without increasing the metabolic rate the body is apt to *rot*. -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From newsadmin at freelancetraveller.com Sun Aug 3 16:27:52 2008 From: newsadmin at freelancetraveller.com (Jeff Zeitlin) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:27:52 -0400 Subject: [TML] Final Results - Freelance Traveller Contest #2008-04 - Armed and Dangerous Message-ID: Balloting is closed for this contest, and the results have been tabulated. The final order of the entries is as follows: 1. Light Duty Line Throwing Tool 2. Anderson J-90 Body Pistol 3. SP Arms P-12 "6Day Special" 4. Elizabeth II Mk. VII Body Pistol 5. EF2-GPS Emergency Signal Gun 6. Instellarms PW-S 34 "Crowdpleaser" Nobody who submitted a ballot omitted a rating for any of the weapons, but several voters noted that the Light Duty Line Throwing Tool and the EF2-GPS Emergency Signal Gun seemed to be outside the the spirit of the contest. We agree, but felt that they met the loose specifications for the contest well enough that we could not in good conscience disqualify them, and enough voters gave the LDLTT a sufficiently high rating that it was the winner. Les DeGroff therefore has the option of specifying Freelance Traveller Contest #2008-05; Les, please e-mail us at contest at freelancetraveller.com with your idea or with a note saying that you wish to leave it up to us. From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Sun Aug 3 17:51:26 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:51:26 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <4895B51F.9919.6E71E0D@shadow.shadowgard.com> Message-ID: On 8/3/08 4:39 PM, "shadow at shadowgard.com" wrote: > On 2 Aug 2008 at 22:16, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > >> On 8/2/08 9:36 PM, "Robert O'Connor" wrote: >> >>> By reducing metabolic rate by a factor of 60, body temperature falls >>> over 4-6 hours, eventually equilibrating with room temperature. This is >>> a consequence of physiology and physics, and kind of hard to handwave away. >> >> All your comments following this seem to be derived from the body >> temperature problem... >> >> Never heard of blankets & heating pads?!? > > Not practical if you are going to be moving around. So keep room temp near normal body temp, if you need it. :) > *Years* back the list's resident medic did a rather thorough > breakdown of all the things that would happen with fast drug. Most of > them even worse than the listed items. > > I do recall that if you raise the body temp without increasing the > metabolic rate the body is apt to *rot*. Well, hibernation is generally a cold-weather phenomenon. On the other hand, estivation occurs *because* it's warm, and the Madagascan fat-tailed dwarf lemur does that for 7 months a year... So clearly all these objections *could* be worked around. I don't think almost-low berth passengers would object to a minor thing like an enema (as suggested earlier). From domhanai at juno.com Sun Aug 3 18:06:16 2008 From: domhanai at juno.com (domhanai at juno.com) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:06:16 GMT Subject: [TML] Weird jump phenomena (was jump weapons) Message-ID: <20080803.170616.10777.0@webmail04.dca.untd.com> "Richard Aiken" , on Sat, Aug 02, 2008 at 07:05 PM, sent: >On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 8:46 PM, wrote: >> Given that jump space isn't well understood, I thought of a couple >of >> "natural" phenomena that could make for interesting "color". >> I used quotes around "natural" becsause they might actually be >> artifacts left behind by the Ancients. > > > >> Either one of these effects could affect more than one system. >> More fun is if they affect only *part* of a system. >> More useful as "local color" or "mysteries of the galaxy" than >as >> gaming material. Except for the "part of a system" version. >> And probably lots of other things. > >Hey Leonard, > >A while back, I bought the WoD book "Midnight Roads." It's full of >advice about running a nomadic WoD campaign (rather than the usual >sedentary, city-based one). While I don't like the game system for >beans, I find that WoD supplements like this one are really >interesting. "Midnight Roads" did not dissappoint. The first scenario sounds suspiciously like "Brigadoon," except for the method of escape; for the original inhabitants, there was no escape. Outsiders could join the village, but .... But you know the story. The second one reminds me of the "Dark Matter" episode of the second-generation Outer Limits, where a chunk of "dark matter" created a bubble in the universe in which an alien vessel and a Terran vessel (carrying a brother of one of the protagonists)were trapped until both crews died, but the bubble continued to hold their spiritual selves (souls?). Only by destroying (!) the dark matter could they escape. Though the OL story has more holes in it than an orange whip it did have slivers tasting of Traveller in it; merchies as opposed to navy, first contact screw-ups, etc. It's odd where you find such yummy mind-goodness .... Cougashika - Go home, go home, go home to Bonnie Jeanne .... ____________________________________________________________ Find precision scales that can weigh anything. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iieo1yidhiFzyniEdRT5yn3BlLdlSDXuEr1zrCayGHHUuSoLq/ From davidjw at pcug.org.au Mon Aug 4 09:04:23 2008 From: davidjw at pcug.org.au (David Jaques-Watson) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 01:04:23 +1000 Subject: [TML] jump weapons References: Message-ID: <001301c8f643$61594060$0100000a@beowulfdown> Dear Folks - Aargh! Posted 4 times (and 5 with the re-post!) Sorry, everyone. Serves me right for using a webmail program. Jerry W Barrington replied: > > The projectors create a virtual grid using lines of force to envelop their > > target, which are then fed enough energy to open the "weave". > > But once you allow *that* you've opened the door to ships being able to do > *normal* jumps without a grid! Yah. And what TL are we talking about?? TL 21, where system-range matter transporters and personal white globes are commonplace! (MT Referee's Sourcebook, Technology Chart 1, p 28). > > A misjump is induced either because (a) the target ship doesn't have their > > jump drive active and therefore cannot control the jump field once they get > > into j-space, or (b) because they didn't set up the "tumble" and therefore the > > destination, the attacking ship did! (i.e it's only a "misjump" if you have > > the misfortune to be the target... ;-). I offered the two options to cover people who believe the drive is only used to open the weave and begin the "tumble", and those who believe you need to keep the drive on for the entire week to prevent the jump bubble from collapsing. > For option b, that means the "attacker" *could* set a destination. See my comment on the TL, above. But see Grimmund's comment: > Not necessarily. We can generate lightning, but we can't guarantee > where it will strike or the path it will take. > > Inducing a *controlled* jump would be substantially more difficult > than simply inducing a random one. [snip] > Actually controlling the destination might be another tech level. Exactly! If you're concerned, just say that early (TL 21!) projectors force a random jump (that may or may not also be a misjump) and you need higher TL's for control. > Once jump projectors are available, the OTU is transformed. Agreed, but not as much as if you allow FTL communication. Now *that* would really make a difference... > Some think that. As we've discussed here, some think a highport outside the > jump limit makes more sense (just as building a major airport outside of > town makes sense). Here's a great place to say "it depends", thus allowing GM's flexibility in their games. Most systems that cater for in-system traffic will probably have a highport close to the planet, to offer cargo shuttles to the in-system traders. Others, with more "through" traffic (Flammarion?), may well have a component - maybe even the major component - at the jump point, to reduce transfer/turnaround time. Refuelling pods are sent to the "farport" via transfer orbit, and caught on arrival. +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM1520) "I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity" From davidjw at pcug.org.au Mon Aug 4 09:05:30 2008 From: davidjw at pcug.org.au (David Jaques-Watson) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 01:05:30 +1000 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers References: Message-ID: <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> Dear Folks - Jerry asked: > By the way, What are these guys doing on top of the take? Trying to cut > their way in? > > According to Jesse Degraff, one is cutting their way into the tank while the other is holding a satchel charge waiting to drop it in. Typical bloody PC's. ;-) > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! > > Puce?! Doesn't an old Trav artist (Donna Barr??) turn up at some parties in a pink full-dress German uniform? With matching Schubevagen (sp?)?? > Oh, Jesse put two in-jokes on that cover for me. > > Doug Enough teasing, spill the beans. (Or in this case, the taro-root flavoured asian fruit jelly snacks). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David "Hyphen" Jaques-Watson ..at.. Beowulf Down (Tavonni/Vilis/SM 1520) http://www.pcug.org.au/~davidjw/ davidjw at pcug.org.au "I file things in historical order, with a hashing algorithm of gravity" From infojunky at ceecom.net Mon Aug 4 10:23:08 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:23:08 -0700 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? Message-ID: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> OK, I got a new "old" computer, that some kind soul donated along with a copy of WinXP. BUt I can't seem to be able to get Universe to run, I get a error that refers to licensing. Any Ideas? -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu Mon Aug 4 11:41:43 2008 From: johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu (Bruce Johnson) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 10:41:43 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <96646EB8-F323-43B3-BCAC-936F0BA4E1A6@pharmacy.arizona.edu> On Aug 2, 2008, at 3:19 PM, Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/2/08 3:14 PM, "alan hume" wrote: > >> I for one can see no reason why it couldn't last out till the far >> future > > Lasting into the far future is one thing... but if I'm not mistaken, > the > Sylean empire had had no contact with Sol. So it would be a parallel > development, not a descendant of the modern symbol. The Sylean Empire was a remnant of the 2nd Imperium, which was started by Terran Naval officers after the Vilani empire was overthrown. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs From johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu Mon Aug 4 12:27:54 2008 From: johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu (Bruce Johnson) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 11:27:54 -0700 Subject: [TML] Ditzie Spofulam: The Later Years In-Reply-To: <21865349.1217710620069.JavaMail.root@elwamui-sweet.atl.sa.earthlink.net> References: <21865349.1217710620069.JavaMail.root@elwamui-sweet.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: On Aug 2, 2008, at 1:57 PM, The Sayat Menace wrote: > Found in Chapter 3 of "Riotous Assembly", by Tom Sharpe, 1971 > (below, exercepted heavily for brevity). Wherein the elderly Ditzie, > posing as a certain "Miss Hazelstone", has murdered her cook; the > police arrive. > > ------------------------------------------ > > Reputation, it seemed to the Kommandant, was all that remained to > Sir Theophilus. Certainly his bust had disappeared from its pedestal > and lay fragmented over half an acre of otherwise spotless lawn. ROFLMAO! I ran off to Wikipedia and I suspect you've increased my reading load for a while. Off to find some of Sharpe's books... -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs From tom.cusworth at googlemail.com Mon Aug 4 12:28:41 2008 From: tom.cusworth at googlemail.com (Tom Cusworth) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 19:28:41 +0100 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> Message-ID: <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so years). i don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other than me being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's side of things was... -Tom On 04/08/2008, Infojunky wrote: > > OK, I got a new "old" computer, that some kind soul donated along with a > copy of WinXP. BUt I can't seem to be able to get Universe to run, I > get a error that refers to licensing. Any Ideas? > -- > Evyn > > Chatham House Rule: > "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, > participants are free to use the information received, but neither the > identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other > participant, may be revealed" > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ > -- Blessed are the cheapskates, for they shall see god and still have change of a fiver - Tom Holt, Valhalla. Want Googlemail? Ask me & I'll invite you! From johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu Mon Aug 4 12:30:09 2008 From: johnson at pharmacy.arizona.edu (Bruce Johnson) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 11:30:09 -0700 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> References: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Message-ID: <0DE9A1C3-E9A9-4D2E-BA90-7D677A029267@pharmacy.arizona.edu> On Aug 2, 2008, at 6:36 PM, Robert O'Connor wrote: > There is a requirement for monitoring and hydration if you want a > revival rate that's more successful than that canonically given for > low > berthing. Otherwise you're left with 'long pork' cold cuts. > > You are dealing with someone who looks like a corpse. Fast drug is > therefore an ideal way of faking a death or killing someone at lower > tech levels. Oh, don't forget the god-like 'raised from the dead' gambit...Mischievous PC's (are there any other type??) could run quite the "The Man Who Would Be King" gambit on an appropriately low-tech society... -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs From infojunky at ceecom.net Mon Aug 4 12:30:40 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:30:40 -0700 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> Tom Cusworth wrote: > Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so years). i > don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other than me > being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's side of > things was... Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From tomnaro at yahoo.com Mon Aug 4 12:43:41 2008 From: tomnaro at yahoo.com (Tom Naro) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 11:43:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [TML] jump weapons Message-ID: <350938.97354.qm@web53702.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Jerry W Barrington jerry.barrington at gmail.com >On 7/23/08 5:00 PM, "Tom Naro" wrote: >> By TL14, military jump grids have enough redundancy and control capability to >> isolate the area affected by the *Remora* and?bypass the negative effects.? It >> would take dozens of *Remora* to be effective on a TL14 military ship. >Shouldn't *all* ships be able to detect damage and route around it? Actually, the remora weapon does very little damage to the jump grid - it taps into the grid without disabling it.? (If it did a lot of damage, the weapon wouldn't work.)? The weapon uses the intact jump grid to exploit a venerability inherent in jump drives - they require controlled power flow in specific patterns to control the jump.? The remora interfears?in that process.? Before the weapons triggers, the jump grid might have a little extra *noise* in?its power flow.? ?(A really sharp engineer or navigator has a chance of detecting it.)? Advance tech ships can route around the problem - everyone else has to put on vacc suits and go EVA.? (Or send a robot to deal with it.) IMTU:?Civilian vessels are built to transport goods or people.? Having a jump grid that is better at absorbing combat damage is not going to help them?transport more goods or people.? It would not be cost effective for civilian ships to have?tougher (and more expensive) hulls or jump grids. Civilian hulls are not much more than metal skins for the ship - they are made to cover the minimum engineering requirements only.? If you want extra features you have to pay more. (IMTU Military hulls are more expensive: +25% but?have redundant jump grids and effective damage sensors.) ? (This message was trapped in the send buffer so might seem out of sequence.) From andrew.long at mac.com Mon Aug 4 13:02:31 2008 From: andrew.long at mac.com (Andrew Long) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:02:31 +0100 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> Message-ID: On 4 Aug 2008, at 19:30, Infojunky wrote: > Tom Cusworth wrote: >> Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so >> years). i >> don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other >> than me >> being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's >> side of >> things was... > > Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... > What is Universe, and do I want to get it? And if so, where? regards, Andy -- Andrew Long andrew dot long at mac dot com From infojunky at ceecom.net Mon Aug 4 13:16:23 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:16:23 -0700 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> Message-ID: <48975587.5080301@ceecom.net> Andrew Long wrote: > On 4 Aug 2008, at 19:30, Infojunky wrote: > >> Tom Cusworth wrote: >>> Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so >>> years). i >>> don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other >>> than me >>> being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's >>> side of >>> things was... >> Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... >> > What is Universe, and do I want to get it? And if so, where? > > regards, Andy > Universe is a sector mapping and data base program available from Here: http://www.bitsuk.net/Products/Software/Software.html And supported by Peter Trevor at his web site here: http://www.trisen.com/sol/default.asp?topic=10&page=47 It doesn't have internal bulk generation of sectors, i.e. you have to do it old school by hand... -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From jrmapes at ckt.net Mon Aug 4 14:50:33 2008 From: jrmapes at ckt.net (Jerry Mapes) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 15:50:33 -0500 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <48975587.5080301@ceecom.net> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> <48975587.5080301@ceecom.net> Message-ID: <002c01c8f673$c462f270$0302a8c0@jerryinsp1100> > -----Original Message----- > From: tml-bounces at travellercentral.com [mailto:tml- > bounces at travellercentral.com] On Behalf Of Infojunky > Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 2:16 PM > To: The Traveller Mailing List > Subject: Re: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? > > Andrew Long wrote: > > On 4 Aug 2008, at 19:30, Infojunky wrote: > > > >> Tom Cusworth wrote: > >>> Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so > >>> years). i > >>> don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other > >>> than me > >>> being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's > >>> side of > >>> things was... > >> Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... > >> > > What is Universe, and do I want to get it? And if so, where? > > > > regards, Andy > > > Universe is a sector mapping and data base program available from Here: > > http://www.bitsuk.net/Products/Software/Software.html > > And supported by Peter Trevor at his web site here: > > http://www.trisen.com/sol/default.asp?topic=10&page=47 > > It doesn't have internal bulk generation of sectors, i.e. you have to do > it old school by hand... > > -- > Evyn I have had it running on XP as well with no problems. BTW I also am (slowly) working on a Data Clean project of my own for Universe and Heaven&Earth over at my website. There hasn't been much done for a number of months since I got very sick shortly after work began but I have what IMO is a better data set than the old Genie Data that Universe and others currently use. The site describes the changes made and the sources and what/why changes were made. Nothing Radical. So if interested feel free to take a look. I don't know when I will do more updates since I am still ill and don't get much time to work these days on Traveller material. But the data is ina good place for any further personal taste additions someone may want to add. BBTW - For more detailed info on importing and exporting data and manipulating it check out the TravellerRPG forums in the Software section. There are a couple real good threads on Universe where I, Mr. Trevor, and others discuss non-helpfile methods of copy,move,edit of data that comes in real handy. If my further upcoming surgeries go well and all the IV Therapy treatments work, maybe I can get back to completing the project in the fall/winter. But for now only the Spinward Marches data is 98% complete. Http://www.spinwardmain.net _____________________ IMTU:JR Mapes 0309 C38A975-D S tc++(**) ru+ tm+ !tn t4 tg- t20 !rtt ?t5 ge+ 3i++ c+ jt- au ls+ pi+ ta- he+ kk+ hi++ as++ va dr so+ zh da++ vi+ 633 From tom.cusworth at googlemail.com Mon Aug 4 15:04:34 2008 From: tom.cusworth at googlemail.com (Tom Cusworth) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 22:04:34 +0100 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> Message-ID: <4b5cc71a0808041404q790b1c51i69cdc3dcefd7faa8@mail.gmail.com> *phew!* Glad it wasn't just me, then... -Tom ;) 2008/8/4 Infojunky : > Tom Cusworth wrote: > > Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so years). i > > don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other than me > > being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's side of > > things was... > > Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... > > > -- > Evyn > > Chatham House Rule: > "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, > participants are free to use the information received, but neither the > identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other > participant, may be revealed" > _______________________________________________ > TML mailing list > TML at travellercentral.com > http://lists.travellercentral.com/mailman/listinfo/tml > TML FAQ > http://traveller.wikia.com/wiki/Traveller_Mailing_List/FAQ > -- Blessed are the cheapskates, for they shall see god and still have change of a fiver - Tom Holt, Valhalla. Want Googlemail? Ask me & I'll invite you! From tom.cusworth at googlemail.com Mon Aug 4 15:05:35 2008 From: tom.cusworth at googlemail.com (Tom Cusworth) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 22:05:35 +0100 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <4b5cc71a0808041404q790b1c51i69cdc3dcefd7faa8@mail.gmail.com> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041404q790b1c51i69cdc3dcefd7faa8@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <4b5cc71a0808041405t198d8625s4cff6cbd7b44db08@mail.gmail.com> 2008/8/4 Tom Cusworth : > *phew!* > > Glad it wasn't just me, then... > > -Tom ;) > > 2008/8/4 Infojunky : > > Oh bugger! Apologies for TOP POSTING. Entirely unintentional. Sorry. -Tom > > > > -- > Blessed are the cheapskates, for they shall see god and still have change > of a fiver - Tom Holt, Valhalla. > > Want Googlemail? Ask me & I'll invite you! > -- Blessed are the cheapskates, for they shall see god and still have change of a fiver - Tom Holt, Valhalla. Want Googlemail? Ask me & I'll invite you! From andrew.long at mac.com Mon Aug 4 15:17:05 2008 From: andrew.long at mac.com (Andrew Long) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:17:05 +0100 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <002c01c8f673$c462f270$0302a8c0@jerryinsp1100> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> <48975587.5080301@ceecom.net> <002c01c8f673$c462f270$0302a8c0@jerryinsp1100> Message-ID: <10F86124-03B0-40CC-88F2-A86CFA9328FD@mac.com> On 4 Aug 2008, at 21:50, Jerry Mapes wrote: >>>> >>> What is Universe, and do I want to get it? And if so, where? >>> >>> regards, Andy >>> >> Universe is a sector mapping and data base program available from >> Here: >> >> http://www.bitsuk.net/Products/Software/Software.html >> >> And supported by Peter Trevor at his web site here: >> >> http://www.trisen.com/sol/default.asp?topic=10&page=47 >> >> It doesn't have internal bulk generation of sectors, i.e. you have >> to do >> it old school by hand... >> >> -- >> Evyn > > I have had it running on XP as well with no problems. > > BTW I also am (slowly) working on a Data Clean project of my own for > Universe and Heaven&Earth over at my website. There hasn't been much > done > for a number of months since I got very sick shortly after work > began but I > have what IMO is a better data set than the old Genie Data that > Universe and > others currently use. The site describes the changes made and the > sources > and what/why changes were made. Nothing Radical. So if interested > feel free > to take a look. I don't know when I will do more updates since I am > still > ill and don't get much time to work these days on Traveller material. Evyn/Jerry... Thanks for the steer. I'll be sure ti check it out Regards, Andy -- Andrew Long andrew dot long at mac dot com From infojunky at ceecom.net Mon Aug 4 15:53:29 2008 From: infojunky at ceecom.net (Infojunky) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:53:29 -0700 Subject: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? In-Reply-To: <002c01c8f673$c462f270$0302a8c0@jerryinsp1100> References: <48972CEC.6050100@ceecom.net> <4b5cc71a0808041128p2b1e2253we450c081f5e55b17@mail.gmail.com> <48974AD0.5060001@ceecom.net> <48975587.5080301@ceecom.net> <002c01c8f673$c462f270$0302a8c0@jerryinsp1100> Message-ID: <48977A59.6090607@ceecom.net> Jerry Mapes wrote: > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: tml-bounces at travellercentral.com [mailto:tml- >> bounces at travellercentral.com] On Behalf Of Infojunky >> Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 2:16 PM >> To: The Traveller Mailing List >> Subject: Re: [TML] Anybody got Universe running under XP? >> >> Andrew Long wrote: >>> On 4 Aug 2008, at 19:30, Infojunky wrote: >>> >>>> Tom Cusworth wrote: >>>>> Mine has been running on XP since I got it (about three or so >>>>> years). i >>>>> don't remember any problem with installing it at the time, other >>>>> than me >>>>> being thick and not realising what the password for the Referee's >>>>> side of >>>>> things was... >>>> Hey I did that one too.... Recently.... >>>> >>> What is Universe, and do I want to get it? And if so, where? >>> >>> regards, Andy >>> >> Universe is a sector mapping and data base program available from Here: >> >> http://www.bitsuk.net/Products/Software/Software.html >> >> And supported by Peter Trevor at his web site here: >> >> http://www.trisen.com/sol/default.asp?topic=10&page=47 >> >> It doesn't have internal bulk generation of sectors, i.e. you have to do >> it old school by hand... >> >> -- >> Evyn > > I have had it running on XP as well with no problems. I pretty sure it's a configuration issue, it's an old copy of XPhome with SP2, but since I generally haven't use XP I don't know what I'm looking for. > > BBTW - For more detailed info on importing and exporting data and > manipulating it check out the TravellerRPG forums in the Software section. > There are a couple real good threads on Universe where I, Mr. Trevor, and > others discuss non-helpfile methods of copy,move,edit of data that comes in > real handy. Cool, I'll check it out. -- Evyn Chatham House Rule: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed" From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Mon Aug 4 17:47:02 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:47:02 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> Message-ID: On 8/4/08 11:05 AM, "David Jaques-Watson" wrote: > Doesn't an old Trav artist (Donna Barr??) turn up at some parties in a pink > full-dress German uniform? With matching Schubevagen (sp?)?? But remember, this is the writer/artist of "The Desert Peach", about "Rommel's fictitious homosexual younger brother"... Never read any of that one, but I love her "Stinz" and "The Dreamery" comics. From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Mon Aug 4 18:35:43 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:35:43 -0400 Subject: [TML] jump weapons In-Reply-To: <350938.97354.qm@web53702.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On 8/4/08 2:43 PM, "Tom Naro" wrote: > IMTU:?Civilian vessels are built to transport goods or people.? Having a jump > grid that is better at absorbing combat damage is not going to help > them?transport more goods or people.? It would not be cost effective for > civilian ships to have?tougher (and more expensive) hulls or jump grids. > Civilian hulls are not much more than metal skins for the ship - they are made > to cover the minimum engineering requirements only.? If you want extra > features you have to pay more. (IMTU Military hulls are more expensive: +25% > but?have redundant jump grids and effective damage sensors.) Nope. Any engineer will tell you, you don't aim for absolute minimum. *Always* build in a safety margin. And it's not just about combat damage: even civilians have to deal with damage and failure. Ships *often* travel to places without facilities to repair damage. At the minimum, the ability to detect the damage is needed. And since you build with a safety margin, you shut down the damaged parts and work around them. And a remora tapping into the grid is going to cause damage. What's not cost effective is losing ships when you don't have to. From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Mon Aug 4 19:16:09 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:16:09 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> References: <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> Message-ID: <4897A9D9.8060008@mindspring.com> David Jaques-Watson wrote: > Dear Folks - > >> > > According to Jesse Degraff, one is cutting their way into the tank while the > other is holding a satchel charge waiting to drop it in. > > Typical bloody PC's. Yah, and I pointed out that you normally do this on a tank that has been mobility killed. >>> But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or >>> any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! >> Puce?! > > Doesn't an old Trav artist (Donna Barr??) turn up at some parties in a pink > full-dress German uniform? With matching Schubevagen (sp?)?? That had more to do with her wonderful and must be read by all of you comic book The Desert Peach (about the adventures of Erwin Rommel's, younger, taller, gayer brother in the Afrika Korps commanding the 469th Halftrack, Gravedigging and Support Unit. >> Oh, Jesse put two in-jokes on that cover for me. >> >> Doug > > Enough teasing, spill the beans. (Or in this case, the taro-root flavoured > asian fruit jelly snacks). You'll notice in the picture I'm ignoring those things. Anyway, look at the front hull of the tank. See where it says 8/12-84? The second part is harder to see, but is clear on page 56. The shoulder armor of the battledress reads A-7-1. Between late August and mid-December of 1984 I was undergoing Infantry OSUT in Alpha Company, 7th Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Brigade. A-7-1, Infantry, On The Road! RAAAAAAAAA!!!! Let's see, aside from giving SEH's to several members of the TML, putting something that actually happened to me in the "So There I Was" sidebar, and generally having fun, I got in a few other ones. The suits of battledress are named after my Drill Sergeants. The Rusto Engineering Sled and the Bergstrom Light Tank are nods to my brother Craig (Rusto is a sculpture at Harvey Mudd College, and Paul Bergstrom was one of his best gaming buddies growing up), the Terrapin sled was named because I'm a Deadhead. The intro in Chapter 8 stars my wife, under her maiden name, and 487 was her van number at SuperShuttle at the time. There are others, but most are really obscure. Doug. From sayatmenace at earthlink.net Mon Aug 4 20:17:11 2008 From: sayatmenace at earthlink.net (The Sayat Menace) Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 19:17:11 -0700 Subject: [TML] Ditzie Spofulam: The Later Years In-Reply-To: References: <21865349.1217710620069.JavaMail.root@elwamui-sweet.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Message-ID: <475EB350-9959-4BFE-84C0-A7AFE8D620C2@earthlink.net> On Aug 4, 2008, at 11:27 AM, Bruce Johnson wrote: > > > > ROFLMAO! > > I ran off to Wikipedia and I suspect you've increased my reading > load for a while. Off to find some of Sharpe's books... The earlier publication date the better -- IMO he never recaptured that fever pitch of disgust and carnage he let loose in "Riotous Assembly" and "Indecent Exposure". His issues with women start to grate after a couple rounds, too. Both his South African novels, and "Blott on the Landscape" too I suppose, are fine raw materials for a particularly cynical, brutish, and depraved Traveller game -- that is to say, one bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the PBEM I'm back to planning... I was meaning to dust off my copy of FF&S2 and stat up "the Ming" described in those excerpts (see Ch 3/4 for source of name), but didn't get around to it. Besides, I'm not sure anyone uses those rules for anything any more. I'll reckon I'll leave the enGURPSification, Mongoosizing, whatever, to someone more in touch with today's Spofulam data sheet format :) K. From shadow at shadowgard.com Mon Aug 4 21:22:19 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:22:19 -0700 Subject: [TML] JTAS collection posyted on ebay Message-ID: <489764FB.29254.1AC511EC@shadow.shadowgard.com> My collection of JTAS issues is p[osted on rebay. More Traveller stuff (Judges guild, Challenge and Space Gamer) to follow in the bnext few days -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Mon Aug 4 21:41:07 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:41:07 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <4897A9D9.8060008@mindspring.com> Message-ID: On 8/4/08 9:16 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: > ... putting something that actually happened to me in the "So There I Was" > sidebar ... The look-a-like for the general's car? Or maybe the excessive force on the sniper... From shadow at shadowgard.com Tue Aug 5 03:49:40 2008 From: shadow at shadowgard.com (shadow at shadowgard.com) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:49:40 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> References: , <001401c8f643$896c7f90$0100000a@beowulfdown> Message-ID: <4897BFC4.18095.1C291AB3@shadow.shadowgard.com> On 5 Aug 2008 at 1:05, David Jaques-Watson wrote: > > > But hay IYTU if you want the Sylean Rangers to have a puce uniform (or > > > any other colour for that matter), go for your life!! > > > > Puce?! > > Doesn't an old Trav artist (Donna Barr??) turn up at some parties in a pink > full-dress German uniform? With matching Schubevagen (sp?)?? That's because she's potraying the title character from her old comic "The Desert Peach". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Desert_Peach No stranger than the more recent folks who showed up in *pink* camo BDU and said they were Martian Special Forces. Though I think they are the same folks who also do the Dendarii Free Mercenaries and various other units from the Miles Vorkosigan universe. -- Leonard Erickson (aka shadow) shadow at shadowgard dot com From philippe.tromeur at gmail.com Tue Aug 5 07:15:01 2008 From: philippe.tromeur at gmail.com (philippe tromeur) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 15:15:01 +0200 Subject: [TML] Traveller : jeu du mois Message-ID: <6fb594a00808050615m32c83dcby7ea5385012771b30@mail.gmail.com> For August 2008, Traveller has been elected "Game of the Month" by the team of Le Guide du R?liste Galactique (the French RPG web-encyclopedia). I'm written the article on the main page of the site : http://www.roliste.com/index.jsp Here's the page listing the RPG's of the past months / years : http://www.roliste.com/jeuxdumois.jsp I'll support Traveller for the "Game of the Year" election in May 2009 ;-) PhT From pbroeder at wave.co.nz Tue Aug 5 12:25:22 2008 From: pbroeder at wave.co.nz (J. Broederlow) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 06:25:22 +1200 Subject: [TML] jump weapons In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <000501c8f728$a627ae30$3da56dcb@Main> On 8/4/08 2:43 PM, "Tom Naro" wrote: > IMTU:?Civilian vessels are built to transport goods or people.? Having a jump > grid that is better at absorbing combat damage is not going to help > them?transport more goods or people.? It would not be cost effective for > civilian ships to have?tougher (and more expensive) hulls or jump grids. > Civilian hulls are not much more than metal skins for the ship - they are made > to cover the minimum engineering requirements only.? If you want extra > features you have to pay more. (IMTU Military hulls are more expensive: +25% > but?have redundant jump grids and effective damage sensors.) Nope. Any engineer will tell you, you don't aim for absolute minimum. *Always* build in a safety margin. ----------------------------------------------------- Unless the customer wants the absolute minimum. This is how we wound up with an entire generation of supertankers built with single hull, single power plant, single screw propulsion, with a total hull life of no more than ten years. And then crewed with morons and drunkards. When the ships sank, the insurers paid out on ship and cargo and the owners walked away. Jonathan From magick.crow at gmail.com Tue Aug 5 13:33:52 2008 From: magick.crow at gmail.com (Knapp) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 21:33:52 +0200 Subject: [TML] jump weapons In-Reply-To: References: <350938.97354.qm@web53702.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: > Barrington > Nope. Any engineer will tell you, you don't aim for absolute minimum. > *Always* build in a safety margin. But is that not in part true because the Engineers never trust the stats of the materials and the needs of the structure that were calculated? If they KNEW everything they might build at the absolute minimum but they don't. -- Douglas E Knapp http://sf-journey-creations.wikispot.org/Front_Page From kellys at efn.org Tue Aug 5 14:49:58 2008 From: kellys at efn.org (Kelly St. Clair) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:49:58 -0700 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> References: <48950BA5.8070805@ozemail.com.au> Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.2.20080805134510.01b87c30@pop.efn.org> At 06:36 PM 8/2/2008, Robert O'Connor wrote: >Using fast drug in the manner described in this thread and elsewhere is >insane unless it prevents a number of problems, only one of which David >Smart has hinted at. I repeat my comment to someone else from earlier in this thread: >The short version is that some old SF author thought it sounded cool, and >so did someone at GDW, without thinking very hard about the practical >consequences and implications. This is true of a dismayingly large >portion of the OTU. Fast Drug as described in the books (Traveller and the original novel) is more like a magic potion of slowed time than any real world pharmaceutical(s). Same with the magical "meson" guns and all the other examples this list has discussed over the years. The choice, as always, is whether to accept the magic at face value - It's Just a Game, after all - or to try to come up with something more reasonable. --------------- Kelly St. Clair kellys at efn.org From penguin_boy at mindspring.com Tue Aug 5 17:23:48 2008 From: penguin_boy at mindspring.com (Douglas Berry) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:23:48 -0700 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4898E104.4000206@mindspring.com> Jerry W Barrington wrote: > On 8/4/08 9:16 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: > >> ... putting something that actually happened to me in the "So There I Was" >> sidebar ... > > The look-a-like for the general's car? Or maybe the excessive force on the > sniper... The encounter between g-carriers in the training area. It really took place at Fort Irwin, Ca (the National Training Center, fondly known as "Planet Irwin") when I was there with the 197th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Separate). I was on an ice and water run with my buddy, and we spotted an OPFOR deuce and a half. I had a .50 on the ring mounts, so I opened up on him. He fired back. We raced for about five miles before we both ran out of blanks. 2.5 ton trucks were *not* equipped with the MILES sensors that combat vehicles had. Doug, who had to clean the damn .50... From raikenclw at gmail.com Tue Aug 5 18:08:22 2008 From: raikenclw at gmail.com (Richard Aiken) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:08:22 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <4898E104.4000206@mindspring.com> References: <4898E104.4000206@mindspring.com> Message-ID: <5aca9be50808051708r56545c37x6420b234f59dc129@mail.gmail.com> On Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 7:23 PM, Douglas Berry wrote: > 2.5 ton trucks were *not* > equipped with the MILES sensors that combat vehicles had. Reminds me of the time I was on the exercise rapid response team and we tried chasing one of the NATO evaluators around the base. We were in a 2.5, he was in a Beamer. Didn't take him very long to lose us. More seriously - given Somalia/Iraq/Afghanistan/etc, one would hope that current training doctrine does put MILES gear on "noncombatant" vehicles. -- Richard Aiken "Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Tue Aug 5 18:36:23 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:36:23 -0400 Subject: [TML] Low Berths In-Reply-To: <6.1.2.0.2.20080805134510.01b87c30@pop.efn.org> Message-ID: On 8/5/08 4:49 PM, "Kelly St. Clair" wrote: > At 06:36 PM 8/2/2008, Robert O'Connor wrote: >> Using fast drug in the manner described in this thread and elsewhere is >> insane unless it prevents a number of problems, only one of which David >> Smart has hinted at. > > I repeat my comment to someone else from earlier in this thread: > >> The short version is that some old SF author thought it sounded cool, and >> so did someone at GDW, without thinking very hard about the practical >> consequences and implications. This is true of a dismayingly large >> portion of the OTU. > > Fast Drug as described in the books (Traveller and the original novel) is > more like a magic potion of slowed time than any real world > pharmaceutical(s). Same with the magical "meson" guns and all the other > examples this list has discussed over the years. The choice, as always, is > whether to accept the magic at face value - It's Just a Game, after all - > or to try to come up with something more reasonable. As you may know, I'm thoroughly on the "reasonable" side. If I want blatant magic, I'll play fantasy. I play *science* fiction because it's got science. From jerry.barrington at gmail.com Tue Aug 5 18:48:50 2008 From: jerry.barrington at gmail.com (Jerry W Barrington) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:48:50 -0400 Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers In-Reply-To: <4898E104.4000206@mindspring.com> Message-ID: On 8/5/08 7:23 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: > Doug, who had to clean the damn .50... Well, you play with the toys, you have to clean up after. :P That's a pretty good army story. Personally, I didn't get much of that. Unless you count leaving work just before midnight on New Year's Eve in Berlin. As we waited for the bus to pull out for the barracks, some of the guys started singing "1,000,000 bottles of beer on the wall". I think they got to 999,997 before giving up. :) From domhanai at juno.com Tue Aug 5 21:37:22 2008 From: domhanai at juno.com (domhanai at juno.com) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 03:37:22 GMT Subject: [TML] New Member & the Sylean Rangers Message-ID: <20080805.203722.14452.0@webmail04.dca.untd.com> Weapons cleaning in Death Valley (shudder). That'll teach ya, playing "Rat Patrol" with a deuce-and-a-half. Cougashika - been there, didn't do that __________________________________________________________________ Douglas Berry , on Tue, Aug 05, 2008 04:36 PM, waved: > >Jerry W Barrington wrote: >> On 8/4/08 9:16 PM, "Douglas Berry" wrote: >> >>> ... putting something that actually happened to me in the "So There I Was" >>> sidebar ... >> >> The look-a-like for the general's car? Or maybe the excessive force on the >> sniper... >The encounter between g-carriers in the training area. It really took >place at Fort Irwin, Ca (the National Training Center, fondly known >as >"Planet Irwin") when I was there with the 197th Infantry Brigade >(Mechanized) (Separate). I was on an ice and water run with my buddy, >and we spotted an OPFOR deuce and a half. I had a .50 on the ring >mounts, so I opened up on him. He fired back. We raced for about five >miles before we both ran out of bla