Thinking about the importance of Navigation skill in Traveller and Cepheus Engine…

Usually we think of the need to not jump into an empty parsec (hex) since you will be at least 3.23 light years from a hex where you might refuel. But really, if you jump to the wrong place in the desired hex you could be in just as bad a fix. A parsec is BIG. We generally assume that with no mis-jump you come out of Jump Space fairly close to your desired destination, but what if you didn’t? You damn sure hope there are some random ice asteriods where you pop out!

What if you break out of jump space very near the border of a hex, and it turns out the system in the adjoining hex is actually quite close? What I’m saying is that if your PCs mis-jump into a dead hex, you have options. There could be a planet, asteroid field, hydrogen-containing nebula, or other source of salvation close by. It’s not out the question.

Some versions of Cepheus Engine (all?) state that Jump Drive requires a significant (stellar) gravity well on each end or it doesn’t work, but Classic Traveller makes no such distinction.

So - don’t try to save money by hiring a crappy Navigator.

My friend Todd has joined out Classic Traveller campaign, playing a retired bureaucrat.

He’s started keeping a journal written as the character, which I’m publishing on our campaign blog. I think it is a great example of why nearly any character in Traveller or the Cepheus Engine can be a great character to play. Super, super good stuff. It’s also a great example of why keeping a blog for your character is a wonderful way to enjoy the game even more.

https://www.travelleritv.blog/personal-log-caliban-tisk/

For the last few days my friend CyborgPrime has been running the yearly Mayday, Mayday! online celebration of the Traveller RPG. This is something I look forward to every year. He’s been kind enough to interview me a couple of times since I’m a Traveller/Cepheus Engine podcaster and I always have fun.