Traveller 2e: The Aurin Cluster [Roll20]

The Crew of the Free Trader The Drift The crew of The Drift is not a collection of fresh-faced recruits. They are experienced spacers, veterans, traders, survivors, and wanderers who have already lived complicated lives before coming aboard. Each carries useful skills, old connections, and unfinished business into the campaign. Edward Cole A former Najaha Beta naval officer, with a repuation for hoesty, and dedication, Edward rose from engineering maintenance officer duty to the rank of Captain through competence, integrity, and an unwillingness to ignore corruption or conspiracy. He is an accomplished ship’s engineer and mechanic with considerable command experience. Behind his distinguished service record lies a dangerous secret: an illegal psionic organization once identified potential in him, leaving Edward with questions he may eventually be forced to answer. Nala Jace Raised aboard the Free Trader Nebula Dancer after the death of her parents, Nala learned the merchant-spacer life from her uncle and the ship’s rough but loyal crew. She became a tireless worker, quick learner, and capable generalist accustomed to dangerous ports, unreliable clients, and deals backed by loaded weapons. When her uncle died, legal negligence cost Nala the ship and scattered her adopted family. She now brings hard-earned experience—and a few inherited favors—to The Drift. Nick “Ledger” DeLuca Nick DeLuca is a veteran Free Trader and corporate agent who understands cargo, contracts, debts, and the hidden pressures behind every transaction. Quiet and observant, Ledger usually knows the numbers before the deal is offered and the risks before anyone signs. He rarely raises his voice, preferring to influence events with carefully chosen words and precise pressure. Reliable once committed, Nick pays his debts, remembers everyone else’s, and works far harder than is probably healthy. He has recently completed a stiny aboard a long Range Survey ship for Rimward Froniters, Inc. Wiremu “Bill” Ropata-Morrison Wiremu is a former Scout and naval petty officer who spent much of his life searching for a place among the stars. Repeated injuries ended both careers, eventually drawing him home to care for his aging parents and serve his community as a healer. Now forty-eight and free to travel again, he has joined The Drift as an experienced spacer, caregiver, and steadying presence. Warm, patient, and slow to anger, Bill is usually found with a mug of sweet tea and a story ready for the long hours in jump space. Party Makeup The existing crew has a strong foundation in engineering, shipboard maintenance, commerce, medicine, military operations, and practical problem-solving. Edward provides senior naval command and engineering experience, while Nala brings the instincts and versatility of someone raised aboard a working Free Trader. Nick is the crew’s commercial and financial specialist. Wiremu adds medical knowledge, naval and Scout experience, and a calm human presence capable of holding a strained crew together. This is a mature, character-driven party. Most of the crew have lost careers, ships, family members, or former lives. They are capable professionals, but they are not polished heroes working for a powerful government. They are independent Travellers attempting to keep a Far Trader operating while navigating dangerous contracts, unstable frontier governments, criminal interests, old enemies, and personal obligations. A new character does not need to duplicate the crew’s existing experience. Particularly natural openings include: - A dedicated pilot or astrogator who can take primary responsibility for getting The Drift safely between worlds. - A charismatic negotiator, diplomat, advocate, or fixer who can represent the crew in difficult social situations. - A scientist, sensor operator, survey specialist, or explorer interested in the stranger corners of the frontier. - A security specialist, gunner, investigator, or former law-enforcement officer who can protect the ship and uncover trouble. - A younger or less experienced Traveller whose ambitions contrast with the older crew’s hard-earned caution. The best new character will have a practical reason to remain aboard The Drift, something useful to contribute, and at least one unresolved problem capable of following them into space.