TRAVELLER ENGINEERING: worlds, ships, characters and exploration

Creating your character

Character creation is a collaborative process. Players will work with the Game Moderator to create multiple characters using a customised version of Classic Traveller advanced character generation, with plenty of dice rolling, career development, and unexpected events along the way. Character creation is not simply a preparation step—it is part of the game. Developing a character often takes several hours and frequently leads to deeper exploration of the setting, history, organisations, and societies of Charted Space. For this campaign, having a single permanent player character is optional. Instead, we will explore the universe through a variety of characters, each providing a different perspective on the setting. Together, we will create and play within the Spinward Marches or another Traveller sector if preferred by the majority of the group. Bring your curiosity, enjoy the process, and discover who your Traveller becomes.

Preparing for the session

A desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection is strongly recommended. While Discord voice can be accessed from a mobile phone, it won't be practical for extended sessions or collaborative worldbuilding. Please have a headset with microphone available. A webcam is optional but always welcome. We'll use Discord for voice communication and Roll20 for maps, handouts, and character records. Players should have access to Traveller reference material where possible. The campaign draws primarily from Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, Traveller: The New Era, and Traveller5, although owning these books is not required. Optional resources include AstroSynthesis 3.0 (NBOS) and Universe Sandbox (Steam) for those interested in deeper stellar and planetary design. Most importantly, bring your curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to help build a living science-fiction universe together.

What Craige brings to the table

I bring decades of experience with Traveller, including extensive play within the Spinward Marches through both solo campaigns and group play. My role as Game Moderator is to provide a structured framework, a carefully developed setting, and a welcoming environment where every player can contribute ideas and help shape the universe. I will bring a careful ear, respect for each player's experiences and interpretations of Traveller, and a willingness to explore different approaches to science fiction gaming. Together, we will create stories, worlds, and adventures that grow from the combined imagination of the group.

Homebrew rules

This campaign uses a customised Traveller rules system developed over many years of play. It draws inspiration from Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, Traveller: The New Era, and Traveller5, while incorporating ideas from science-fiction gaming literature, community discussions, and original material developed through long-term campaigns. The aim is to capture the spirit of early Traveller: a universe of exploration, technical challenges, career histories, and believable science fiction. The rules provide additional depth for characters, technology, starships, and societies while remaining flexible enough to support storytelling and discovery. Character creation follows the tradition of Traveller's Advanced Character Resume rather than modern highly formatted character sheets. Creating a Traveller is an important part of the game experience. Characters are developed through detailed life paths, careers, assignments, training, and unexpected events. A Resume character record focuses on useful information rather than presentation polish, including: General Data UPP, SCP Career History Special Assignments Awards and Decorations Equipment Qualified On Skills Description History The result is closer to a future personnel file, service record, or explorer's dossier than a traditional fantasy-style character sheet. The rules include: Expanded character generation: Careers, education, assignments, and experiences shape each Traveller's history before play begins. Skill-based development: Characters improve through experience, training, and opportunity rather than traditional levels. Detailed characteristics: Physical, mental, and social abilities influence how characters interact with the universe. Consistent science-fiction assumptions: Technology, spacecraft, economics, and societies are designed with internal logic and plausibility in mind. Expanded starship design: Spacecraft construction uses a refined approach inspired by Traveller: The New Era Fire, Fusion & Steel, allowing players to design and understand vessels from small craft to major starships. Flexible depth: The campaign can move between narrative play and detailed technical problem solving depending on the needs and interests of the group. The visual and presentation style also draws inspiration from early Traveller publications, using technical references, diagrams, records, and understated science-fiction aesthetics that encouraged players to imagine the universe beyond the page. New players do not need to master the rules before joining. The Game Moderator will guide you through character creation and introduce mechanics as they become relevant. The most important requirement is curiosity: a willingness to explore, create, and help build a living science-fiction universe.

How Craige creates a safe table

This campaign uses a few simple practices to ensure everyone enjoys the experience. Session 0 – We'll discuss the campaign, expectations, house rules, communication, and the style of play before adventures begin. Breaks – A short break of about 5 minutes every 60-90 minutes during the session. Open Door – Players are welcome to step away from the game at any time, whether for a few minutes or for the remainder of the session, without explanation. Lines & Veils – Together we'll establish subjects to avoid entirely (Lines) or to fade into the background rather than describe in detail (Veils). Stars & Wishes – At the end of each session, players can share what they enjoyed (Stars) and what they'd like to see more of in future sessions (Wishes). Debrief – We'll finish each session with an informal discussion about the game, answer questions, and talk about ideas for the next session.