I wrote a session report for our Classic Traveller campaign’s 50th session, and some Ref’s Notes for Sessions 49 and 50.

I love this campaign so much.

This morning I’ve been continuing to think about character “improvement” in Traveller, especially Classic Traveller. And by improvement I am talking about improving skills and/or characteristics.

I think Marc got it right, rules-as-written, in Classic Traveller. When you consider the game a whole, the fact that you are playing skilled (maybe) adventurous people who are not superheros, there is some realism in those old rules. When a character goes through terms of service, they are living in a situation in which their entire life and energy are devoted to learning and retaining new skills. They have the time to learn new skills and master them. Once they are out, and having to deal with the realities of working, living, and surviving in the “real” world, learning skills would be more time consuming and difficult. Sticking with a plan of skill acquisition would be harder, thus the “Dedication” roll is appropriate.

As an example, I cite my own practice of aikido. I started Aikido at age 42. I practiced 3 times a week. I still practice. Over the course of 20 years I have been promoted, at this point, to 2nd degree black belt. I am fairly good. I will in all likelihood make 3rd degree before I die. But I started LATE. My teacher started in his 20s. I’ve had to learn while going through all of life’s challenges. And I’m old now. The truth is that while I may attain a higher rank, I will never be as good as my teacher, simply because of a late start at an advances age.

Some people don’t like this level of realism in an RPG. That’s totally fair. It’s a game. Different games have different vibes. Different strengths. We are talking about a game in which the characters fly around in starships, so maybe realism isn’t really needed. But I think Marc got it right.