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Bundle: 555
Archive-Message-Number: 6989
Date:         Thu, 17 Mar 94 04:18:51 EST
From: "Susan M. Shock" [-- REDACTED --]
Subject:      RE: background

I'm a little ticked off at the TNE rules, but I have no beef with the setting.
What I DO get annoyed with is people who seem to forget that this is FICTION.
So what if Virus is scientifically impossible? JUMP DRIVES are impossible! The
damn thruster plates are impossible! All of the best science-fiction I've ever
read was about PEOPLE, not things; things work just because they work.
   Also, a lot of people have been complaining that TNE is just T:2000 in space
and I submit that this has to do with emphasis placed by the players and the GM
in the campaign, In my campaign, the Star Vikings are an EXPLORATORY force.
They view themselves as descendants of the IISS. They are combat-trained, yes,
and they aren't afraid to use that training, especially when pursuing their
secondary goal of recovering lost technology, but reexploration and rediscovery
is the primary emphasis. My players don't even LIKE to use Fusion Guns-too
hard to use in close quarters. The favorite weapon is the ACR with DS ammo.
Keep in mind that some of these "low tech" worlds in the Wilds can be as high
as tl 8-10! Enemies can have some pretty effective weapons, and even spaceships
at those levels.
   I think the griping about the changes in the Traveller universe tech is
about 50% legit and 50% simple complaining by people who can't tolerate change.
I am annoyed with some of the rules glitches (and some things that aren't
glitches, such as firearms skills being based off STR and the autofire rules)
but I don't give a rip about changes to maneuver drives. Reactionless thusters,
HEPlar fusion drives...hell, I wouldn't careif they had to get out and PUSH if
it made a good story.
  All I know is that the New Era background lets me tell the kind of stories I
like to tell. That's why I like the background.

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