What a lovely paean to the universe where my idle brain has spent the most time for 40 years. Picked up Traveller when I was in sixth grade and, to this day, find myself musing in and about it.
I'm just about to start a Traveler game for our group - been 40 years since I last set foot - this has been invaluable. Sinking as much cash into Mongoose as I did hurt but it's like rediscovering an old friend. Thank you for your passion!
Your overview of The Known Universe is perfect and expresses a fans love for a collective setting that is truly unlike any other in the RPG community. Thank you. Long love the Imperium!
Speaking as a Grognard who first picked up CT in 1984 - I approve of this overview....I can and have adapted alien species from more sci-fi properties than I can count, and have a bevy of _IMTU House Rules_ to go along with it. As you point out, unless I am gaming in a _very_ specific IP universe, you can do pretty much whatever you like in Trav (I once ran "Lord of the Rings" in CT...it does work), and especially in CT: _Go where you want. Do what you want. Try not to end up as lunch._ I do buy material from editions other than CT, but I only use those for campaign ideas, deck plans and flavor text....One thing I did not change from the OG version, though, is its lethality: Avoid combat in my games where you can, or have _VERY_ high combat skills and physical stats, or you will find yourself rolling up characters *_very_* frequently.
Great review; echoing Mr Miller: vast in scope sparse in detail ! One of my favourite "game within game" tasks is to randomly pick a world somewhere on that huge map and a randomly generate a character from book 1 or supplement 4, and outline how that world "works" and how / where that character fits into it. Some elements of the notes are always usable in a future game with my group. There are not many games that can keep your interest for 5 decades
For me, that Traveller makes referee "away from table" tasks a game all unto themselves is part of its charm and longevity! Map Only When Necessary - or when you have a spare min and want to tinker 🙂
Nice review. I've used the 3rd Imperium as a backdrop using worlds and subsectors from the old Mongoose Spinward Marches sector book, which is still very good (one of their better products), but I've always preferred to keep the whole official setting vague and in the background. I think characters would not be interested in a war between massive empires millions of miles away. I think the way CT did it was fine - it was an interesting history to refer to in games. But now I see Mongoose are putting out loads of Fifth Frontier War books. And its not just one book its ten. They are like a terrier with a rabbit. Traveller is getting like Star Wars under Disney lol. I think it's a shame how these great things from my childhood are getting ruined by corporate greed.
In Mongoose's case, I don't think it's corporate greed - they're not big enough an outfit to fall into that trap. It's pretty much been their business model to have a high volume turnover of titles - it was with D20, with RuneQuest, and with Traveller.
@@terminator572 If you're interested in getting into the game, the best way to do so is to check out Mongoose Traveller, 2nd Edition. There's currently a "2022 Update" version of the core rulebook. That's more about the rules, though. From a setting perspective, as a starter that isn't too expensive, then the Imperial Encyclopedia from the MegaTraveller (2nd Edition, 1987) version of the game, is a great starter for ten (it compiles much of the info outlined in the Library Data volumes I mention in the video) : www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/429?affiliate_id=51226 Traveller Map is also an. invaluable resource: travellermap.com As is the Traveller Wiki: wiki.travellerrpg.com/Main_Page Happy hunting!
@@WillyMuffinUK can I ask as someone who is very much just learning about Traveller: The Imperial Encyclopedia that you recommended is set after the Third Imperium? (wiki told me). Is the information still solid if I'm planning to run current mongoose Traveller? I will buy their sourcebooks eventually but I want to start with a PDF to get my toes wet.
@@condomsurlatete The Imperial Encyclopedia is a MegaTraveller product, that compiles information from a variety of sources, but primarily the Classic Traveller Library Data books. It is set during the Third Imperium, not after it - date Imp. 1116. This is during the Rebellion, which is why I think you're picking up a "post-Imperium" view from Wiki. However, most of the information within it is relevant to 1105 (Classic-era, it having been compiled from Classic-era sources). Yes, the information is still solid for a Mongoose Traveller game set in the Classic era (c. 1105). However, Mongoose also publishes a Third Imperium sourcebook, that is more directly compatible with the current view Mongoose Traveller has of the Imperium.
Nothing travels faster than light except jump drive starships. All radio is light speed max... That is a flagship of the Traveller universe. The game tries to hold to science with the exception of magic reactionless M drives, gravitics and the one week jump drive going 1 to 6 parsecs in a week.
@@bgmill70 Exactly. The converse can be found in the "FTL telegraph" that is BattleTech's HPG network, and the real-time comms of both Star Wars and Star Trek.
@@bgmill70 Interesting. We have been playing it with an instantaneous communication within solar systems and communication by star ship between systems I think mostly for the playability of it. We haven't really wanted to deal with the massive communication lag you would deal with speed of light transmission within a solar system. There would be 3 minute time lag between earth and mars and 4 hours between the sun and neptune. We never really had any interest in playing that in game. I could see you mentioning it once when you open up communications and then ignoring it for actual play. It does potentially help verisimilitude.
I have never done much communication over solar system distances in any of our games. The most we have done is communicate with the starport from our jump point coming into world and we never had a time lag with that. If handwaving instant solar system communication works so be it. I think in my games I would use the light speed lag. 8 minutes per astronomical unit... Solar system communication has never been important.
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | เปิดใจ "อาจารย์ เบียร์ ฅนตื่นธรรม" นักสนทนาธรรมสายดุดัน!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vqaBI_mnoDk/mqdefault.jpg)
What a lovely paean to the universe where my idle brain has spent the most time for 40 years. Picked up Traveller when I was in sixth grade and, to this day, find myself musing in and about it.
It's a fun place to muse!
I'm just about to start a Traveler game for our group - been 40 years since I last set foot - this has been invaluable. Sinking as much cash into Mongoose as I did hurt but it's like rediscovering an old friend. Thank you for your passion!
I hope you find you revisitation a happy one 🙂
I feel so old (and nostalgic) watching this...
You're only as old as you feel, even in the far, far future!
@@WillyMuffinUK...said the black market Anagathics dealer heh
@@Panicagq2 🤣
Your overview of The Known Universe is perfect and expresses a fans love for a collective setting that is truly unlike any other in the RPG community. Thank you.
Long love the Imperium!
It is fantastic. One setting, many, many styles of play accommodated. Great stuff.
Speaking as a Grognard who first picked up CT in 1984 - I approve of this overview....I can and have adapted alien species from more sci-fi properties than I can count, and have a bevy of _IMTU House Rules_ to go along with it. As you point out, unless I am gaming in a _very_ specific IP universe, you can do pretty much whatever you like in Trav (I once ran "Lord of the Rings" in CT...it does work), and especially in CT:
_Go where you want. Do what you want. Try not to end up as lunch._
I do buy material from editions other than CT, but I only use those for campaign ideas, deck plans and flavor text....One thing I did not change from the OG version, though, is its lethality: Avoid combat in my games where you can, or have _VERY_ high combat skills and physical stats, or you will find yourself rolling up characters *_very_* frequently.
As it should be! Get into a fight, accept the consequences...
Great review; echoing Mr Miller: vast in scope sparse in detail !
One of my favourite "game within game" tasks is to randomly pick a world somewhere on that huge map and a randomly generate a character from book 1 or supplement 4, and outline how that world "works" and how / where that character fits into it. Some elements of the notes are always usable in a future game with my group.
There are not many games that can keep your interest for 5 decades
For me, that Traveller makes referee "away from table" tasks a game all unto themselves is part of its charm and longevity!
Map Only When Necessary - or when you have a spare min and want to tinker 🙂
I absolutely love your Traveller videos. Please keep them coming.
Thank-you!
Excellent overview. Thank you so much!
Thank-you!
Well done. This is a great summary
Thank-you!
Brilliant. Very well done.
Thank-you!
You just thought me about the hash tag #IMTU "In My Traveller Universe" I will be using this in the future.
There are a few common Traveller ones. And you can play with your geek code!
wiki.travellerrpg.com/IMTU
Nice review.
I've used the 3rd Imperium as a backdrop using worlds and subsectors from the old Mongoose Spinward Marches sector book, which is still very good (one of their better products), but I've always preferred to keep the whole official setting vague and in the background. I think characters would not be interested in a war between massive empires millions of miles away. I think the way CT did it was fine - it was an interesting history to refer to in games.
But now I see Mongoose are putting out loads of Fifth Frontier War books. And its not just one book its ten. They are like a terrier with a rabbit. Traveller is getting like Star Wars under Disney lol. I think it's a shame how these great things from my childhood are getting ruined by corporate greed.
In Mongoose's case, I don't think it's corporate greed - they're not big enough an outfit to fall into that trap. It's pretty much been their business model to have a high volume turnover of titles - it was with D20, with RuneQuest, and with Traveller.
Superbly written and performed.
Thank-you!
What a fascinating setting, first time I am ever exposed to this.
Flipping heck! Dive in already! Happy to have given you a very short "scratching the surface" introduction to it.
@@WillyMuffinUK I certainly will. Is there any prescribed editions I should look out for or do I start from the very first book?
@@terminator572 If you're interested in getting into the game, the best way to do so is to check out Mongoose Traveller, 2nd Edition. There's currently a "2022 Update" version of the core rulebook. That's more about the rules, though.
From a setting perspective, as a starter that isn't too expensive, then the Imperial Encyclopedia from the MegaTraveller (2nd Edition, 1987) version of the game, is a great starter for ten (it compiles much of the info outlined in the Library Data volumes I mention in the video) :
www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/429?affiliate_id=51226
Traveller Map is also an. invaluable resource: travellermap.com
As is the Traveller Wiki: wiki.travellerrpg.com/Main_Page
Happy hunting!
@@WillyMuffinUK can I ask as someone who is very much just learning about Traveller: The Imperial Encyclopedia that you recommended is set after the Third Imperium? (wiki told me). Is the information still solid if I'm planning to run current mongoose Traveller?
I will buy their sourcebooks eventually but I want to start with a PDF to get my toes wet.
@@condomsurlatete The Imperial Encyclopedia is a MegaTraveller product, that compiles information from a variety of sources, but primarily the Classic Traveller Library Data books. It is set during the Third Imperium, not after it - date Imp. 1116. This is during the Rebellion, which is why I think you're picking up a "post-Imperium" view from Wiki. However, most of the information within it is relevant to 1105 (Classic-era, it having been compiled from Classic-era sources).
Yes, the information is still solid for a Mongoose Traveller game set in the Classic era (c. 1105). However, Mongoose also publishes a Third Imperium sourcebook, that is more directly compatible with the current view Mongoose Traveller has of the Imperium.
Great video, thank you for your excellent content.
Thank-you :)
Great video.
Thank-you.
Do you voice audiobooks? You should. You have a great voice.
I don't, but thank-you for the compliment! Maybe I should explore the possibility.
I wish I have people to play with in spanish hahaha
I wish you did, too. Don't give up that hope!
Instantaneous communication does occur inside solar systems, but yes is pony express driven from star system to star system.
Indeed. No FTL Interstellar comms, unlike settings such as Star Wars and BattleTech.
Nothing travels faster than light except jump drive starships. All radio is light speed max... That is a flagship of the Traveller universe. The game tries to hold to science with the exception of magic reactionless M drives, gravitics and the one week jump drive going 1 to 6 parsecs in a week.
@@bgmill70 Exactly. The converse can be found in the "FTL telegraph" that is BattleTech's HPG network, and the real-time comms of both Star Wars and Star Trek.
@@bgmill70 Interesting. We have been playing it with an instantaneous communication within solar systems and communication by star ship between systems I think mostly for the playability of it. We haven't really wanted to deal with the massive communication lag you would deal with speed of light transmission within a solar system.
There would be 3 minute time lag between earth and mars and 4 hours between the sun and neptune. We never really had any interest in playing that in game.
I could see you mentioning it once when you open up communications and then ignoring it for actual play.
It does potentially help verisimilitude.
I have never done much communication over solar system distances in any of our games. The most we have done is communicate with the starport from our jump point coming into world and we never had a time lag with that. If handwaving instant solar system communication works so be it. I think in my games I would use the light speed lag. 8 minutes per astronomical unit...
Solar system communication has never been important.