Traveller: Character Challenge 2023: 11/31 Traveller ex-student

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Character Challenge 2023: 11/31 Traveller ex-student

One of the minis from the Zombicide:Invaders expansion packs was a kid I used for the Shadowrun game. He was a drone pilot, which was fun, but the latest edition of those rules is not a particularly well-edited game. And it is hard to play virtual combat and hacking and real stuff. It was also the only mini I painted in that set (so far) and we've yet to use this set. In fact, I've only managed to play this game maybe 4 times.

For a Traveller game, probably a scientist of sorts would probably work for this mini. First, though, let's see what sort of rolls we get. 953C58. And yes - that 12/C was an actual roll for intelligence, so science it is. However - it is a kid or young adult, and his education is lacking. Thinking one of the pre-career educational rounds and have him just graduating, before actually hitting a career. Could be a contact or NPC the players will meet for information or research. Not all NPCs need to be grizzled ex-Marines. Interestingly, the T5 have what I think are the most detailed college rules. Most of the other versions tend to be fairly simple with varying degrees of increasing education. While T5's mechanics on skills is fairly different than Classic, Mongoose or Cepheus, we can always adjust the skills as necessary depending on the game getting played.

With his EDU 5, university is out but college is an option. Also, with that INT 12, it is pretty much automatic for him to pass each year. Unless he fails getting in to begin with!

Cain Chevok applies to the College of Madrico, a little-known college on his home planet that has an astounding VR department. He actually did not get in: this is a roll-under EDU and an 11 is not less than 5! Applying for a waiver, which uses his SOC 8, I do roll a 4 so get admitted. Year 1 he passes (with the waiver it is possible to not pass if I roll a 12 now - the waiver to get in acts as a negative DM). Rolling a 3 he easily passes, and declares Electronics as his major, gaining Electronics-1. Year 2, a natural success with a 5, gaining Electronic-2 and picking a minor in Programming (which is new in T5 - the old computer skill encompassed both operation and programming, T5 breaks them out. It is a much crunchier system). Year 3, and he actually rolls a 12! Needing a waiver, he fails that as well, and is forced out of college in his 3rd year!

Not what I was expecting or hoping, but our 20-year-old could be a low-level hacker now, making his own equipment and programming it. Or he simply played too many VR games and flunked out despite his high intelligence! Or dropped out to start a huge tech company to become the next Bill Gates or Mark Zukerberg.

Cain Chevok, ex-student

953C58 age 20

Electronics-2, Programming-1

A college drop-out, Cain is working on creating his own tech company based on his unique version of a holographic VR system. A tall, gangly man with an early receding hairline, Cain is generally clumsy both in his physical presence as well as socially. While smart, he also harbors a deep resentment to the "system" feeling it betrayed him.

Often found in game cafes, he is also working on a new version of a holographic VR helmet. This allows him to control drones or remote vehicles as if he were driving them directly, if they are configured for autopilot and have various dash cams.