Well, that was such a blast making a Classic Traveller character yesterday, I am going to do it again! Let's see what fate gives us this time.
I thought about trying to make an Aslan this time, but I think before I try that, we';ll take anohter run through making a human, and in one of my favoite Traveller classes... the scout. For this initial attempt, I am going to use the "vanilla" process provided in The Traveller Book. I looked through the Scout LBB, but I don't think back in the day we ever used this book to create scouts (although it IS very interesting, and once I read up on it a little more, I might try later this month to make a character using those rules).
All right, let's see what our rolls give us...
11, 8, 5, 5, 7, 6
Hmmm.... he's a strong one. And pretty smart, too. Well, let's get started on our scout.
Name: Alton Zyzyx
STR 11
DEX 8
END 5
INT 5
EDU 7
SOC 6
Fresh out of high school, with a desire to see new places and encounter new cultures, young Alton decide that the Scout Service is the way to go. Because of his high STR, he only need a 5 or better to enlist. And he gets... a 10. The Scout Service is SALIVATING at a specimen like Alton. He enters the field, eager to learn... and rolls a 4 for survival. o_O A freak accident in his first term cuts short another promising scout's life.
Rest in peace, Alton.
Well... that was anti-climactic.
However, a few years after Alton's death, his younger brother, Beedo, decides to honor his brother's memory by enlisting in the Scouts, and carrying on his brother's legacy.
Reroll ahoy!
Beedo ZYZYX
STR 9
DEX 7
END 4
INT 7
EDU 7
SOC 7
While not quite as strong as his older brother, Beedo is just as smart, and even more respected in social circles for his desire to uphold his brother's legacy. Like Alton, Beedo eagerly enlists in the Scout Service, needing only a 4+ to successfully enlist... which he does easily. However, carrying on his brother's legacy..... Beedo was tragically killed during another freak accident at Scout School.
Rest in peace, Beedo.
(at this point, I am wondering if perhaps the Zyzyx family should be looking at something.... less dangerous for their children).
Enter Quentin Zyzyx, the youngest of the Zyzyx clan. By now, his family has been ravaged by the loss of his two older brothers. The future of the family weighs on his shoulders.
STR 4
DEX 10
END 9
INT 8
EDU 7
SOC 6
The "runt of the litter", young Quentin is nowhere near as strong as his brothers were, but he makes up for that with his dexterity and tenacity. Unwilling to follow the doomed dreams of his brothers, Quentin instead decides to enlist in the Merchant Service... hopefully it will prove to be less deadly than the Scout Service has shown to be. His Intelligence means he only needs a 5 or better to enlist... and he FAILS! (author's note: UGH!) Undeterred, Quentin enters the draft, hopeful that he will still be able to follow his dream... and instead, finds himself enlisted in the Imperial Marines! (author's note: why do I not see this going well...) Evidently, his impressive physical skills and high intellgence made him a prime candidate for Marine service. They aren't too worried about his low strength... the Marines will make a man out of him!
First tour of duty: a hardy lad, Quentin looks forward to the thrill of Marine training... and manages to successfully survive his first tour of duty. While he is a hard worker, his inital attempt at attaining a commission fails (rolled a 5). He acquires a skill in swordsmanship (cutlass-1), along with improving his cardiovascular endurance (+1 END) and learning how to handle a vacc suit (vacc suit-1). After a hard term, Quentin decides to try to push himself to further success, and applies to reenlist... JUST managing to successfully reapply (rolled a 6 dead on).
Second tour of duty: felling slightly better about surviving as a marine where his older brothers had both died, Quentin heads into his second term. He easily survives the gruelling training regimen. Quentin again attempts a commission, this time being recognized for his hard work and dedication, achieving the rank of Lieutenant (and the skill revolver-1). Quentin dedicates himself to phsical improvement, building his body through a regimen of fitness training (+1 STR), as well as demonstrating his proficiency in boarding actions with the auto-shotgun (shotgun-1). Enjoying life as a Marine, Quentin opts to reenlist for a third tour. After much discussion on the issue, his request is accepted (rolled a 7).
Third tour of duty: Now 26 years old, Quentin is still easily capable of meetin the requirements of the Marine Corps as he enters his third tour of duty. Now learning to navigate to web of political intrigue that is the officer corps, Quentin manages to impress enough of the right people to receive a promotion to the rank of Captain. Quentin continues to demonstrate his usefulness in boarding situation, gaining another level in shotgun (shotgun-2) as well as learning his way around automatic rifles (auto rifle-1). Now feeling a part of the fraternity of the Marine Corps, Quentin attempts re-enlistment, and succeeds easily.
Fourth tour of duty: now seen as a veteran of the forces, Quentin is still a specimen, easily able to handle the physical requirements of the job. Learning the ropes of the fine art of diplomacy, Quentin continues to move through the ranks, achieving the rank of Force Commander (rolled 10 for promotion). Quentin continues to improve in his abilities with the automatic rifle (auto rifle-2), as well as demonstrating his abilities in understanding and organizing tactical situations (tactics-1). By the end of his fourth term of service, time has yet to diminish Quentin's physical skills. Still enjoying life in the Corps, Quentin decides to re-enlist, and just manages to succeed in continuing his career (rolled a 6).
Fifth term: While Quentin again excels in the field, he is beginning to think about winding his career in the Marines down. Satisfied with his place in life, Quentin is not disappointed when he fails to attain another commission. He spends his last years in service aking it easy, letting the younger members of his group take the lead more and more, and instead spending his time on padding his golden years by fleecing the younger troops of their pay stipends at poker (gambling-1). Realizing his cardio isn't what it used to be (-1 END), Quentin decides it is time to call it a career. Quentin leaves the service with a yearly retirement salary in addition to all the other skills and accolades he has received. (+2 INT, +1 EDU, membership in Traveller's Society, Cutlass, 40,000 cr cash, 4000 cr/year pension)
Force Commander Quentin ZYZYX, Marine Corps (ret.)
age: 38
STR 5
DEX 10
END 9
INT 10
EDU 7
SOC 6
Skills: Cutlass-1, Vacc Suit-1, Revolver-1, Shotgun-2, Auto Rifle-2, Tactics-1, Gambling-1
Benefits: member of Traveller's Aid Society, 40,000 cr cash, Marine Cutlass, 4000cr/year pension
Quentin Zyzyx lived up to his brothers' memories. While not succeeding in entering the Scout Service, he instead carved for himself a long, illustrious career in the Marine Corps, succeeding and excelling where many others thought he would fail. He leaves the service with a wealth of contacts, a cushy pension, and in good health. Content to live out his days travelling the galaxy playing poker, Quentin is still a fomidable force to reckon with, and is not not above out "the little guy" when he feels someone is being treated unfairly.
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