This will be the thread I'll use for my latest campaign, Traveller 2300 AD - Rise of the Sathar.

A brief background on the game - the rules I'm using are about 80% Classic Traveller / 10% Mongoose Traveller / 10% Houserules. The setting is a mix of the 2300 AD setting with the setting for Star Frontiers.

Some Specifics on Character Creation Rules
* I'm using straight 2d6 rolls for stats, but allowing to assign rather than in order.
* For background, I am using the 2300 AD nationalities (more or less) and giving characters their starting languages based on nationality. Depending on intelligence, they can start with one, two, or even three native languages.
* I am using the 2300 AD background skills idea (core vs. frontier) but I've heavily modified the skill table.
* I like to use a random starting age of 15 + 1d6
* Careers use the lists from Classic Traveller. I've adjusted the tables a bit to be a little more straight-forward / consistent and lowered the numbers to allow for easier enlistment / promotion (though the initial PCs were created before I adjusted that; hence a lot of enlistment fails and low ranks).
* I do allow for changing careers ala Mongoose Traveller rather than a one and done approach.
* I use a mishap table that does allow for character death or less deadly results when they fail a survival roll.
* I use the Mongoose method of ranks for officers and non-officers, so characters can always make a promotion roll.
* The rank tables are expanded a bit to allow for ranks 0-9 (both enlisted and officer). For the naval career, I also have a set of ranks for Warrant Officers.
* For skills, I'm using the PD / Service Skills / Specialty Skills / Advanced Education sort of approach. Military careers have different specialty tables based on MOS. Scouts differ by scout mission type.
* I use a completely customized list of skills. I don't like either the defaults for CT or MGT, so I mixed together the two (along with their supplements) to come up with my list of skills.
* I use the aging rules from MGT.
* I mostly use the mustering out benefits from CT, but the other benefits tables are more MGT.
* I use the team skills concept from MGT to allow the team to make sure they have level 1 in each of ten different skills.
* I also give a starting money amount for each character (outside of mustering out) equal to 6 months worth of monthly expenses (based on their Soc rank).

As with character creation, I'm using a mix of rules from the CT and MGT editions for general rules.

More on the general play rules I'm using:
* I'm using the "effect" rules of MGT to gauge levels of success and handle opposed actions.
* Combat is largely using the CT rules, though I am using initiative rules from MGT along with partial autofire rules and how damage is applied.
* I'm using the vehicle combat rules from MGT as well.
* Most starship operations are using the MGT rules, but I'm mostly using CT for the combat rules.
* I'm using the crew positions rules from MGT, along with some of the other rules for movement.

So why the rule changes? Well, I find CT to be "missing" some elements I like, while MGT is too complicated (my players prefer simpler rules). And the rule changes from MGT 2300AD are largely terrible (IMO) so I used barely any of those.

The same is true for the setting. I love the human governments in 2300 AD (though for simplicity, I combined some of the smaller tier ones), but I hate the aliens. So, I threw them all out except for the Kaefer and added in the Star Frontiers aliens - Dralasites, Vrusk, Yazarians, and Sathar.

But in my setting, the aliens are truly strange and distrusted by humans. The Dralasites are a strange, silicon-based life form that no one can hardly communicate with. The Vrusk have a rigid caste system (think Droyne) and although they deny it, many humans believe the Kaefer are simply a warrior caste of the Vrusk. The Yazarians are presented as a violet species that have a shaky non-aggression treaty (that not all clans follow), and the Sathar are more of a rumor than anything at this point.

Technology is largely 2300 AD, though I've de-emphasized the cyberpunk feel of the 2300 AD line (I preferred the original Traveller 2300 approach that GDW took). Since I loathe the spaceship / construction rules of MGT 2300 AD, I'm using the standard MGT rules and just making the differences cosmetic. I'm also just using the generic weapon stats of CT instead of the more individualized by country approach of 2300 AD.

I'm still working on refining my equipment guide. It's a real mix of CT, MGT, and SF equipment.

The one thing I haven't decided on yet is whether or not I'll use any kind of advancement rules.

Character Creation Session

Two weeks ago, we got together to create characters. As mentioned above, I was using the CT numbers for survival / advancement / enlistment which were not as kind to the players.

Since no one had played Traveller before, it took us a little bit to get through the process. We did create some interesting characters, though.

The first player had a heck of a time getting into a career. He failed to get into any of the military careers and had three terms as an "other" before finally getting into the merchant career. He got commissioned and promoted right away, but then nothing. He kept on trying up to the maximum (7 terms). The end result was that he was 51 years old and had really low Str and End stats by that point.

The second player had a good laugh as he got into the marines right away. He got commissioned but no promotion, and the laughter died quickly when he only completed one term before failing to survive. He was left with a cybernetic eye and had to move to the merchant service for his next four terms He ended up doing well there, though, if a bit older as well.

The third player went straight for the merchant career. He had a good four terms then called it quit before he had to worry too much about aging.

The most interesting thing was how none of the PCs are American - we have a Frenchman, a Brit, and a Texan.

My big takeaways from the session were:
* Make the rolls a little easier
* My skill list still needed simplifying (I ended up cutting down another 12 skills or so)
* Put better benefits for other benefits (way too many low passage tickets the first time through)
* Reorganize my character creation rules to make it clearer what the players are deciding on and what the impact is (one example - instead of just saying to roll and assign stats I now say what each stat is used for)

Initial Characters Created for the Campaign

Jean Danielou: Son of a wealthy French businessman, Jean spent his youth wandering aimlessly after failing to get into the army, navy, or marines. He eventually settled into a low-level job in a merchant fleet before venturing out on his own at 51 years old.

James "Wreck" Deckard: A former marine from the Texas colonies with a promising career until a boarding incident left him with a purple heart and a missing eye. He later went into the merchant services where he rose through the ranks until he was ready to start up his own security firm at the age of 42.

Burton Steele: A young up and comer from the United Kingdom. Rising through the ranks of the merchant services quickly, Burt abandoned a promising career at the age of 36 to join up with his acquaintances in their private security firm.

Session 1 - Scene 1 (of 9)

Jean Danielou, James "Wreck" Deckard, and Burton Steele were having a slow first month getting their new private security contracting firm up and going. The rent on the office space was coming due, and they still hadn't found a first assignment. It seemed like it might be a long time before they could even afford a starship, much less achieve the high levels of success they planned.

As they checked the local system network for open ticket assignments, a message appeared on Jean's dataslate that an incoming ship had a holo-mail (or h-mail, as most people call it) for him. It was from his cousin, Rene La Barre.
The miniature holo-projector on the dataslate projects the small image of Rene. Rene wishes Jean well from himself and the rest of the family in Fromme, out on the colony of Kimanjano in the DM +34 2342 system.

Renee also mentions Jean's new security venture and advises that he's heard the Rebco Corporation is looking for people for a job in the adjacent system of Beta Canum Venaticorum. Rene goes on to give Jean the name of a contact in Rebco, a man named Jackson Maddox.

Jean discusses the potential job with the others. Although they have little information to go on, the prospect of working for a major transnational corporation sounds promising and they agree they should look into the job. Jean records a response to Rene to tell him to pass along his information to Maddox.

A few weeks later, a mail courier drops off a package for the group sent by Rebco. Opening it up, they find a letter on company letterhead inviting them to come to Beta Canum-4 for some survey work, singed by Jackson Maddox, VP of Operations for the Canes Venatici region. Also enclosed are download codes for low passage tickets for each of them from their office on Tirane to the spaceport orbiting Beta Canum-4.

Before heading straight out on the 8 parsec journey, the group decides it would be best to do some due diligence first. Wreck suggests to Jean that he use his computer skills to try and get information on Rebco.
Most of what Jean is able to find is standard public information. Like most transnationals, Rebco has a lot of different divisions and activities. One of those activities is mining, which is likely the key activity out in the Canes Venatici space.

Jean also finds some basic information about Beta Canum-4. It is a very Earth-like world, with a similar atmosphere and gravity, and is about 4/5ths the size of Earth. There are three major colonies on the planet – one French (Premiere), one British (New Africa), and one German (Jurgenberg). The French colony is largely agricultural, the British focus on tourism, and the Germans have heavy mining operations.

After more discussion, they ultimately decide to move ahead with the job. Jean is a little nervous about using the cryotubes given his relatively weak constitution, but ultimately opts not to spend his money to upgrade to better passage. They schedule passage on the next liner out of the system the next day.

Session 1 - Scene 2 (of 9)

Several weeks later, the liner arrives at the space port orbiting Beta Canum-4, which has been unofficially named by the French as Chien Aerien (or "Sky Dog"). Wreck and Burton emerge from cryostasis just fine, but Jean does not initially respond and has to be resuscitated; he ultimately survives, but it causes permanent damage to his already frail health. Burt wonders if they will soon need to buy a hoverchair for Jean to be able to get around.

Once Jean is good enough to walk, the three proceed to head into the main lobby of the spaceport. They notice a servitor robot holding a sign labeled, "Jean Danielou". When they approach, the robot scans Jean's RFID implant to verify his identify and tells them to follow it.

The robot leads them to a large lounge area. It heads over to the bar where a man in his forties, wearing a business suit, is drinking a martini. He stands to greet the men and introduces himself as Jackson Maddox. After introductions are made, he scans the ID cards for Wreck and Burt along with the RFID chip for Jean.

Maddox explains that he has added an access code to their IDs that will allow them to get into a storage locker on the ground. He has also added tickets for them for the gravity elevator beanstalk transport so they can get down from the spaceport to the ground. Jackson then explains he will take them back to a private room to discuss the job in more detail.

Heading into a private conference room in the back of the lounge, Maddox asks for their drink orders (a pint of ale for Burt, a glass of red wine for Jean, and water for Wreck) and has his servitor go get them.

He then brings up a holo-map of Beta Canum-4 on the table. It shows the three continents – French, British, and German – rendering out a 3D image of the planet's general topography. Jackson explains that Rebco has spent the last several years with its agricultural operations in Premiere, but now wants to expand.

Maddox zooms the hologram into the mountainous region south of Premiere. He explains that the French have decided to open up mining operations there, and Rebco wants to do a survey before putting in its bid for the mining rights. Jackson wants to hire Jean and the group to perform the survey mission, noting that his cousin Rene indicated they did this kind of work before.

Jean agrees they can handle it, though mentally notes that Rene may have exaggerated their experience doing surveys. Maddox tells Jean it is good he is in charge, as the colony has not been allowing non-Frenchmen into the colony without a lot of checks.

Burt and Wreck hold their tongues, though Jean can tell they clearly want to correct Maddox's assumption that Jean is their boss and not a three-way partnership. Jean plays along.

On one of the data display walls, Maddox brings up a list of supplies that is waiting for them in the storage locker on the surface. Reading them off, he explains they will have two hoverjeeps, a portable solar power station, two recording cameras, two dataslates with attached sensors, all the camping equipment they will need, and two months' worth of food and water. Jackson notes that he expects the 15 hectare valley to take around two months to fully survey.

Wreck is interested in the kinds of wildlife on the planet. Maddox explains the planet is mostly host to small vermin, but there is a larger creature they should watch out for, which the locals call blindeebuff (or "armored buffalo"). He describes the beast as a large herbivore that travels in large packs and have been known to trample people.

Concerned about security, Wreck asks how common the creatures are. Maddox explains herds have been spotted in the valley, but they are unsure of exact numbers. In fact, Maddox notes, determining an estimate of the blindeebuff population would be part of their survey mission.

Wreck also wants to know about any natives. Jackson assures him there is no intelligent life on Beta Canum-4 outside of the colonies.

Burt is more focused on the money end. Maddox gives the pay as 2,000 cr each per month, plus a 1,000 cr bonus when the survey report is sent in. Attempting to ward off any attempts to negotiate, Jackson notes that Rebco is also paying for the passage to and from the planet as well as providing all of the equipment.

Wreck does make a point to ask for a middle passage ticket for Jean for the return trip, as the cryotube experience was a bit rough on the Frenchman. Maddox is non-committal, but agrees to discuss it once the survey work is complete.

Jean is interested if any other corporations are interested in the mineral rights. Maddox says there are others, but so far no one else has scheduled a survey. Wreck makes a mental note to be wary of any rival teams that might show up.

Session 1 - Scene 3 (of 9)

Once the meeting with Maddox is complete, the group decides to talk with people around the station a bit to get a feel for the planet, and Rebco, before they begin the five day trip down to the surface.

Jean elects to try and talk around more to the corporate types on the station, while Burt and Wreck split up to talk to the workers. Also wanting to use his gambling skills, Jean decides to try and make some contacts at the gaming tables of the station's casino while Wreck looks for some mechanics and Burt tries to find a friendly freighter pilot.

Burton is able to make the first contact, finding a British pilot in the lounge area. The man gives his name as Mador Miller, captain of a freighter out of Aliceport on Beowulf. Mador explains he has been running freight to and from this planet for the last couple of years.

Miller doesn't know anything about Maddox in particular, but is very familiar with Rebco. He describes them to Burt as being in very tight with the local French government; possible even controlling it. Burt is suspicious about them actually looking for ore to mine, but Miller explains that the mining is likely part one of a bigger plan to increase arms production in the region because of the conflicts with the Germans.

Burt is curious about what kind of battles have broken out between the Germans and French on the planet. Mador explains that there has been no open conflict yet, mostly legal disputes involving border and resource use rights. He does say that the local man in charge, named Lt. Dumont Bellaire, is looking for German spies everywhere. Miller advises Burt to watch himself down there.

When asked about any local aliens, Miller tells him there are no sentients in the area. Or, he corrects himself, at least not on the planet. He does mention that from time to time, he sees an alien ship pass through the space lanes near the planet. Mador goes on to say that he's even seen their courses take them through the French restricted space area (that he naturally isn't allowed to fly in).

Before leaving, Burt has the bartender put their drinks on Jackson Maddox's tab. The thought that Maddox will simply deduct the amount from his pay does not enter his mind.

Meanwhile, Jean takes a seat at the card table and attempts to strike up conversation. He has little luck that night, either in his attempts to talk with people or win any money.

Over at the repair bay area, Wreck finds some British mechanics to talk to. He asks one of the men, named Jacy Lawrence, about Rebco. Jacy gives an account similar to what Burt heard from Mador, along with the rumor going around the station that Rebco is looking for minerals to produce weapons for the French so they can protect against German border incursions.

Wreck tries to see if he can steer the conversation in a different direction, making up a rumor about Rebco being involved in the opium trade. Jacy hasn't heard anything about that, noting there is very little demand for drugs in the colony. He doubts the market would be big enough to warrant attempting to smuggle things in, particularly given Lt. Bellaire's aggressive tactics in trying to find German spies.

When Wreck mentions his surprise they haven't found any spies yet, Jacy just laughs. He claims the lieutenant is simply mental, and there are no "Jerry spies". Wreck is surprised they would go to all of the effort with no evidence of spying, but Jacy figures it is the same as the zone of "restricted space" the French insist on – they just like being secretive. Wreck, however, believes that the French must have something they want to keep secret.

Wreck then asks about the blindeebuffs. Jacy, though admitting he's never been to the planet surface, describes them as "big as a house". He also mentions their thick, scaled armor hides. He tells Wreck it will take a large gun to put one of them down.

Jacy then starts talking about a story he heard about a man who was trampled by a heard of blindeebuffs. The man, named Stanley, was crushed so bad by the creatures that people referred to him as "Flat Stanley" afterwards. Wreck struggles not to roll his eyes, wondering if Jacy is having fun at his expense or truly believes the urban legend and doesn't know enough about history to get the joke.

Wreck is more concerned with what kind of weapon he might have access to in the French region. Jacy confirms that legally, heavier weapons are illegal in the colonies outside of the military. Wreck subtly asks if there would be a way to get around that.

Jacy tells Wreck there's no way to sneak anything by the French security forces, but rumor has it that the sergeant in charge, Sgt. Mason Pinet, can be more agreeable to special requests with the proper incentive. Wreck thanks him for all his help.

Session 1 - Scene 4 (of 9)

The three eventually meet back together near the airlock for the beanstalk transport. Wreck asks Jean what he found, to which he responds "the tables are colder and the women are colder". Wreck isn't surprised the Frenchman's efforts were unsuccessful. Knowing Jean's penchant for lechery with younger women, he asks the man rhetorically, "You didn't try that creepy old Frenchman shit again, did you?"

Burt is happy to report he was a lot more successful. He relates hearing that they should be on the lookout for "Jerry spies, aliens, and bloody blindeebuffs". He goes on to give more of the details he was told by Mador. Wreck confirms that matches with what he heard from Jacy as well.

Wreck also mentions the description of the blindeebuffs he was given. The two agree that Jean would be the most likely to get "squashed flat". Burt wants to look into getting some weapons. Wreck explains about Sgt. Pinet's obliging nature.

Burt wonders if Maddox can do anything for them, noting that he said they would have everything they need. Wreck describes Maddox as being "as full of shit as a polar bear."

After much discussion, the group elects not to try and find weaponry on the station and instead wait until they reach the surface. They get scheduled on the next beanstalk transport down.

Session 1 - Scene 5 (of 9)

The trip down takes five days, much to the displeasure of everyone. They are happy to have their own private room for the trip.

With little else to do, the three men discuss the idea of talking with some of the other passengers. Since most of the passengers are wealthy French people, Jean is elected to go do the talking.

Jean decides to approach a middle-aged couple on the dining level. He introduces himself and takes a seat at their table. They give their names as Peter and Anne Marie Kirouac. When Jean mentions he needed to get away from the rabble in his stateroom, Peter mentions they had noticed the large Texan.

Peter goes on to explain that they are headed down to Premiere to check on their chateaux and surrounding farming operations. Jean makes polite conversation about the man's wheat farm, which Peter describes as being largely robotic with assistance from peasant workers.

Jean asks if they have had any problems with the blindeebuff herds attacking their crops, but Peter tells him the animals are largely found in the mountain valley; and like everyone else, they never go into the valley. Peter describes the valley as having "nothing" there except for one crazy old man who lives there.

With his interest piqued by the mention of the old man, Jean asks for some more details. He learns from the couple that the man is an old hermit by the name of Gagan Hubert, who has a mas (Provencal-style farmhouse) at the edge of the mountain valley.

Peter is curious about Jean's trip. He gives the couple a story about coming to Beta Canum for a vacation, saying he was originally planning to go camping in the valley but is now thinking twice about it. Peter warns him to stay away from the Germans.

As the conversation comes near an end, Ann Marie slips a note to Jean. She winks and tells him to give it to his Texan companion. Jean reads it on the way back; it reads, "Ménage a trios?" and includes the couple's stateroom number. Jean slides it under the door of the closest stateroom before going back to his own.

When he gets back, Wreck asks Jean how the discussion went. He responds that they do not like Texans. Wreck mentions surprise, noting he thought the older woman was giving him the eye.

Changing the subject, Jean explains he heard about Gagan. Wreck, pronouncing it "gaggin" asks if it is some kind of creature. Jean clarifies and tells all he heard about the old hermit. The Frenchmen believes Gagan might be a good guide for them as he has lived in the valley for several years.

Wreck also wants to know if Jean heard anything more about the German spies. He says that the couple gave the same story as everyone else. Wreck, though, is convinced that Jacy's comments about it being nonsense is more likely the truth. Jean notes that the upper classes always believe stories that make them afraid of a danger.

Session 1 - Scene 6 (of 9)

On the second day of the trip, Wreck is feeling a bit restless. He wants to talk with an engineer on board; however, he discovers they are all located back in a restricted area.

Wreck decides to start by approaching Olivier Mange, the steward for their level. He begins asking questions of Olivier about how the beanstalk works – noting that it works a bit different than the gravity elevator he was used to on New Austen, where he's from.

Olivier explains he knows nothing about the technology, but Wreck isn't surprised. He clarifies that he wants to talk to an engineer about it. Olivier notes the request is most unfamiliar, noting security procedures technically prevent it. But Wreck's discussion about his mechanical work convinces the steward it would probably be all right as long as no one sees him.

Wreck approaches the secure area and meets with an engineer named Stephane Juaire. Stephane is happy to discuss the technology with the Texan. Wreck begins by complaining about the slow speed of the transport down and how he hates being stuck with a snooty Frenchman.

Stephane explains that the reason for the very slow rate of travel is that the beanstalk is focused on comfort, not efficiency, as most of their customers are of the upper class sort.

Wreck also asks about how old the transport is. Stephane explains that beanstalk was built shortly after the colony was established; he has a lot of pride in the beanstalk, noting the UK and German colonies do not have one (the Germans rely on a space plane for passengers while the UK colony has no method of transport of its own outside of chartering private ships).

The mention of the Germans gives Wreck the opening to ask about the spies and how real a threat they are. Stephan claims the spies are a real threat, noting that there has been at least one incident of known sabotage by German spies. He says a recent interruption of service on the beanstalk was likely caused by the spies as well, and that he and the rest of the beanstalk staff are always on the lookout.

Wreck thanks him for the discussion and offers to buy him a drink if he's ever on the surface. Stephan thanks him in return, though notes his job requires him to be on the beanstalk for a month at a time.

Session 1 - Scene 7 (of 9)

After another three days, the beanstalk finally lands at the station on Premiere. There is a short line to get through the secure area of customs and out into the main station.

Jean is first in line. The guard asks for his name, then scans his RFID chip. Verifying he is French, he lets Jean pass through.

Burt and Wreck are not so lucky. When they give their names and have their ID cards scanned, the guard explains to each of them that they have been "randomly selected" for enhanced security checks. They are each moved to a separate room for the additional screening procedures. Jean either doesn't think or care enough to attempt to intervene in the process.

Inside one of the rooms, Wreck has his belongings and body cavities thoroughly searched. The supervising guard, wearing a tag identifying him as Sgt. Pinet, asks Wreck what his purpose is. Wreck explains he has been hired for a survey mission by Rebco, and is a bit indignant over the anal cavity search. Pinet claims they have to be sure because of the German terrorist activities.

Pinet interrogates Wreck about any contact with Germans, but Wreck assures him he can't speak or even spell German. The sergeant is sympathetic, noting Wreck seems too stupid to be a spy. He regretfully tells the Texan that normal procedure is to keep him locked up for a couple of weeks until a detailed background check can be made. However, Pinet notes, the "accelerated background check" form could be available; with an extra "filing fee" of 500 credits. Wreck eventually convinces him to take only 150, along with a promise of 5% of his findings from the survey mission.

When he's done with Wreck, the sergeant heads into the next room where Burt has already been equally probed. As with Wreck, he begins asking about the purpose of Burt's visit. After Burt relays the same information Wreck did, Pinet gives his pitch about the accelerated background check.

Burt, however, is a bit less willing to negotiate. Instead, he calls the whole process shady. Pinet assures him it is the way things are done there.

Taking a different tactic, Burt tries to delay paying the man until after the job. The sergeant insists he'll need to wait the two weeks then.

Burt then asks for Jean, identifying him as his foreman. Pinet notes the decision to not want the detailed background check is very interesting. As Burt becomes increasingly uncooperative, Pinet calls for one of the other soldiers. He tells the corporal he does not think the previous search was "deep enough".

After a second, more thorough examination, Pinet comes back. He explains to Burt that it is good they have not found any contraband on him, and asks if he is ready for the express paperwork yet. After some failed attempts to broker the price, Burt finally agrees to pay 250 credits now, and 250 later.

Session 1 - Scene 8 (of 9)

Jean, relaxing on one of the couches in the waiting area, finally sees the Texan emerge after a while. He tells Wreck that apparently they must have run into some trouble, and notes that perhaps he should have said something to the guards.

Wreck grumbles a bit, and mumbles something about the French being very thorough. Jean asks where Burt is, and Wreck mentions that he was in the next room but sounded like he really wasn't enjoying the search, crying out at two different times.

After a bit longer, Burt eventually walks out, moving a bit bow-legged. Jean asks if he ran into trouble, to which Burt simply responds, "You French bastard, why didn't you say anything?" Jean responds that it slipped his mind. Burt tells him he owes him one now while Wreck grumbles something about Jean remembering the next time they see a blindeebuff and saying something about it being mating season.

As they exit the waiting area, they are approached by a younger woman. She greets Jean and gives her name as Charde Delin. She greets all of them on behalf of Governor Henri Robillard and officially welcomes them to Premiere.
Jean is surprised the governor is taking an interest in them, but Charde mentions the governor always takes an interest in special visitors from Rebco. She gives them an invitation for dinner at the governor's palais and invites them to spend their first night there.

Answering for the group, Jean agrees. He tells her that it would be fine if his lower-classed companions sat at another table during the dinner, but Charde insists that won't be necessary.

Charde then introduces herself to the others. Wreck is temporarily struck speechless, claiming it to be caused by her beauty. She laughs, mentioning how Texans are always being funny. She compares Wreck to "the great" Jerry Lewis.
After introductions are made, Charde escorts everyone outside the station to where her hoverlimo is waiting. They decide to go with her and come back for the supplies at the storage locker tomorrow. She has her aides put all of their personal belongings into the trunk.

On the drive over to the governor's palais, she serves some drinks (with Perrier for Wreck) and everyone observes the city. It appears to be a mix of large, wealthy homes for the corporate employees and small shacks for the peasant workers.

The palais itself is an extremely grand structure. Wreck is interested what the peasants do. She explains about the types of manual labor jobs available.

Wreck notes the peasants do not appear to be paid that well. Charde admits that like most colonies, there is a bit of a divide between the corporate owners and the poorer people who come to the colony for work.

Getting on his soapbox for a moment, Wreck gives his thoughts on poverty on the colonies and how it might make them more susceptible to cooperating with the kind of espionage they are trying to prevent. Charde dismisses the concerns, saying that Lt. Bellaire is on top of it.

Wreck tries to get more information about the lieutenant. He learns fairly quickly that Bellaire appears to be in firm control of the colony, with little oversight.

Session 1 - Scene 9 (of 9)

After getting settled in their rooms at the palais, everyone freshens up and dresses for the formal dinner in clothing provided by servants. From Charde's explanation, not only will the governor be there but an ambassador from the UK colony as well, a man named Tabor Stevens.

Charde wears a tight, revealing dress and brings the group into the dining room. There they meet the governor (who seems to be a rather cheerful man) and the ambassador (who seems rather dour).

Burt tries to get the ambassador off to the side. Burt bonds with the man by mentioning how there are "too many Frenchmen" in the colony. Stevens chuckles, noting that it is almost enough to want Ambassador Eichel there.

Probing a bit, Burt asks who Eichel is. Stevens explains that Ambassador Helmut Eichel is the representative from the German colony, but that Lt. Bellaire has him under house arrest at the moment on suspicion of promoting espionage.

Burt asks what the ambassador thinks. Stevens quite candidly explains that he believes Bellaire is unhinged, and there are no German spies. He also explains that the colonial government and Rebco are letting Bellaire go wild with the idea because it will scare up support for increasing weapons production, which will bring the colony and corporation a lot of profit.

Meanwhile, Wreck flirts with Charde while Jean talks with the governor. Jean wants to understand why Henri is so interested in Rebco. He responds that a prosperous colony is a secure colony.

Jean asks about Rebco taking over the colony, but Henri describes them as a strong partner, which they need for survival. The governor seems particularly agitated about the Germans, saying a strong presence from Rebco will keep their land claims under control. When Jean asks about the military, Henri clarifies he is concerned about economic, not military, security.

The conversation then turns to Lt. Bellaire. Henri explains that Bellaire is head of the Free French Militia, which is not a part of either the French Empire or Rebco. Because they keep the colony safe, no one interferes with his operations.

Everyone then sits for the first course. The whole meal is a traditional fourteen course French meal.

During the dinner, Wreck probes more about the economic strength of the colony. He makes several remarks about the impoverished workers, but the governor gives his philosophy that those with the greater investment deserve the greater rewards.

Wreck still believes that better compensation would be better for worker morale and security for the colony. Henri condescendingly tells Wreck that the colonial peasants are a simple people with simpler needs. Wreck remains unconvinced, and expresses his dislike of the decadence of the feast they are having.

The discussion continues for a while. Wreck discusses Lt. Bellaire and his unchecked security powers while Jean questions the influence Rebco has over the colony.

Governor Robillard tells the men they act strangely, reminding them they are working for Rebco. Jean clarifies they are independent contractors. The governor reminds them, a bit sternly, to focus on the job at hand as everyone wants the survey mission to succeed.

Jean settles things down a bit by saying they just want to make sure they understand the risks associated with their mission. Following a brief discussion about the blindeebuffs, they also ask about the hermit Gagan. Henri warns them to stay away, as the hermit does not like guests.

Once the dinner is over, everyone retires to their rooms for the night.

Session 1 - Session Notes

The first session of the game went along without a hitch. It did move a little slower than I expected (they did a lot of interaction with the NPCs) but laid some nice groundwork for the next couple of sessions.

I decided to start the campaign with the Tricolor Shadow adventure from the original Traveller 2300 set (there is an adventure for sale for the Mongoose version, but I have not seen it). That adventure is very bare-bones so I spent a fair amount of customizing it and fleshing it out.

Also, before we get too far, apologies to anyone who actually speaks French as I have undoubtedly butchered your language at several points.

Various notes on the session:
* The "h-mail" concept is something of a joke, but I wanted a quick way to get the PCs off and going.

* Rene La Barre's name is an homage to Rene Picard from Star Trek: TNG.

* The locations of the PCs and Rene were not actually given during the session. I've retroactively added them to the write-up.

* Astronomers will likely balk at the idea of a space "region" based on constellations but I just needed something to call a region.

* Jean royally botched his rolls to google (or space google, as we called it OOC) Rebco and Beta Canum-4. Had he made it, they may have found more information.

* Jean failed his End check to get out of cryostasis. Instead of killing him, I made him make aging checks. He is now at Str 3, End 3.

* The robot with the sign was for humor effect; but it does make sense to have servitor robots doing low-level tasks like pick people up at the airport (so to speak).

* Jackson Maddox wasn't originally planned to be French (hence why his name isn't French), but I mistakingly used a French accent and the rest was history. It retrospect, it made sense anyway given the relationship between Rebco and the French colony.

* The blindeebuff is my creation, a portmanteau of the French words (for buffalo and armor, I think...) Everyone loved saying the name.

* The rumors about the German spies were fun, because they asked multiple NPCs and each of them gave a different answer based on their own POVs.

* Many of the random NPCs the PCs met with didn't have names during the session. It always takes me a while to come up with names (I use a Scattergories letter die to get the first letters and look up name lists for first names - usually baby lists - and last names - usually genealogy lists).

* One of the other funny things is that I'm attempting to use French pronunciations for all the names. Since my players don't speak French, they always have to ask for clarification on spelling (as they always get it wrong when trying to write it phonetically).

* I couldn't resist throwing in the Flat Stanley joke.

* In addition to info, there are several foreshadowed things in what the NPCs relate to the PCs. As usual, I'm not sure the players caught those.

* Burt and Wreck being singled out for security checks was planned all along. Actually, I foreshadowed it quite a bit (making it even funnier that Jean doesn't try to help). The body cavity searches were thought up on the spot, though, for humor value.

* I wasn't expecting such an anti-corporate attitude from the PCs, but I thought it was kind of cool they stuck up for the impoverished peasants. Perhaps the PCs will be a bit more heroic this game (as they were horrific monsters - real and figuratively - during the Cthulhubusters campaign).