Let's Read: Traveller, 1977 Edition, Worlds & Adventures, Page 10-11

Here's the link for the Subsector Google Doc. I'm going to cover two pages today, since they're blended in with the end of page 9, and we're talking about tech levels and what they mean. So, if you want to follow along, click on the link above and you'll see what I've come up with so far.

I rolled up the remaining parts of the planetary profiles, and came up with some interesting combinations. I think the most surprising part is the variety of tech levels, even on planets with starports. I've got just about every tech level from 0 all the way to 16 (F) on my list of worlds. So, let's see what these numbers actually mean.

Three of my worlds (0206, 0308, and 0609) have something in common: No starport (X), and tech level 0. That's your one-step-above-caveman level; spears, clubs, canoes, and carts are the main technological advances. So, cultures with no technological skill whatsoever. 0206 is a smaller world (4), but it's got a standard atmosphere, 70% water, a population of about a million, and a feudal government. The law level is 7, which means no shotguns; I'm going to interpret that as nobody on this world even has firearms of any kind; they don't even have swords yet.

Yes, I'm referring to the worlds by their coordinates; I haven't named them yet. I'm considering giving worlds like this two names; one used by the interstellar government in the region, and the local one that the natives use. Just because we call the star 'Sirius' doesn't mean that the inhabitants of any planets there would call it that. Not that I think there's life on Sirius' planets, but it would be cool if there was.

Anyway, 0308 is very much an earth-like planet (Class-M, for you Star Trek aficionados); 7000 miles in diameter, standard atmosphere, 60% water, a small population of about 10,000, a representative democracy(?!), and an absolute ban on weapons. Welcome to the monastery world; there isn't even a jump route to this world, which tells me it's a secret place that you can only reach if you already know how (or if you are specifically invited). Tech level is 0, so they live the simple life...but that doesn't mean there's no stash of something hidden away for some unknown reason.

And 0609 is an interesting world; it's small (3000 miles diameter), has a very thin atmosphere, 30% water, population around 100,000, and is an impersonal bureaucracy that bans all weapons. And it's got tech level 0. Now, a very-thin atmosphere requires a breathing apparatus, but that's beyond tech-level 0. So, I'm going to be making this a world with primitive alien life on it. An impersonal bureaucracy suggests a hive mind of some sort, so this is going to be a world of evolved insects (that still don't have tech) that can manage in the small atmosphere and low gravity.

The only other X world is 0203, which is huge (10,000 miles diameter), has an exotic atmosphere, is 90% water, has a population of 10,000,000, a law level of 7 (forget firearms; it's pre-firearm tech anyway), and a tech level of 2. So, it sounds like a medieval society. Here's the interesting part, though; it's government rating is 6: Captive Government. But it's an X that isn't on any jump routes. So, who's the captor? Is it a colony? And with a tech level like that, they aren't going to have oxygen tanks anyway. So...ah, 90% water. Hello, underwater civilization, and another batch of aliens. They're not worried about the air, since they're breathing underwater anyway. See? Random rolls stir creativity. The question of who is controlling this world will be left for a later time.

Now, in contrast, let's take a look at some of the 'A' port worlds. Oh, these are going to be interesting. Of the 7 'A' port worlds in this subsector, all of them have tech level A (10) or better; the three on the right side (0602, 0603, 0803) have tech level F (16)! That's matter transport technology. Beam me up, Scotty! In fact, they are one tech level away from artificial intelligence and anti-matter technology (Tech level 17)! So, they really are close to the Star Trek model. All drives are available, and all weapons and armor, as well as computers except for AI. Interestingly enough, however, the C world between them (0703) is just an empty rock (2000 dia.) with no atmosphere or water, but a huge population...at tech level 8. I don't think that's going to work; even an underground civilization would need better tech than that. Sure, they can go interplanetary with non-starships at tech 7, but you're not fitting a billion people in a B government on that rock, not without a much better tech level to justify having a colony that massive on a barren rock. So, I can either bump it up to tech level 9, giving them starships, or tweak the population and government to something more suitable (like there's nobody there at all). I'll have to think about this one.

Finally, there's that tantalizing E world at 0810. I was hoping my random rolls would produce something interesting, and they certainly did. It's a small (3000) world with a thin atmosphere, only 10% water, but a massive population of 10 billion, an impersonal bureaucracy, and a law level of 7, meaning once again, nothing more deadly than a sword or bow is allowed. The tech level is 9, so they have starships, as well as laser technology, decent computers (model 3), and whatever modes of transportation you want. But they are all alone out there. With a population like that, it's obvious that this world has just taken the first steps into the great beyond. And nobody knows about them yet...

So, there are some interesting places already, as well as some conundrums to consider. I love using random rolls in world building and adventure design, because they are a great tool to stimulate the imagination. It's going to be fun coming up with more explanations of how this subsector is put together, and who's in charge. Until next time, then.