tccheersHappy to take comments/criticism. None of this is fixed yet.All need names, a bit more background than their life events have suggested (but you've given me inspiration for that, so thank you) and I think they probably need street names as you suggested.It's already giving me ideas for an adventure - leading on from what you've suggested to 'hook' them, that maybe the fourth one needs money to fix the illness that's threatening her. Or as they're down there anyway, maybe it can link medicinally to the plants that the PCs are after in the first place - which is what initially brought them "Downstairs".Brilliant! You've given me the confidence to go for this - I fear my colleagues may be horrified! Still, that's their look out.For those that are interested and can use them for their own purposes, here are the four characters I came up with this morning. Lovely sitting listening to the rain on the roof above me as I generate them. All are Mongoose Traveller 1st edition but should be easy enough to convert to other rule sets. All my rolls were 'straight out of the box' with nothing fudged (not even the enlistment rolls). All are a little older than I might have been tempted to leave them at as the PCs are no spring chickens and I don't want it to be *too* weird. (It's weird enough that one of them already has on his arm the lady he rescued from the shuttle crash earlier in the day... <sigh>).All from Anther (Core 2021 A300697-E)
6AC757, female, age 29 (not mustered out)
Steward 2, Carouse 1, Deception 1, Melee (any) 1, Stealth 1, Streetwise 1, Persuade 0, Social Science (any) 0, Vacc Suit 0
Contacts x2, Enemy
appeared in a pornographic holovid as a student (just wanting some cash to pay fees and thinking it a bit of fun) but a "certain" scene went viral and her real name was attached to it, well-off family disowned her, turned to sex trade and blackmailed a wealthy client gaining an Enemy but more recently has found it more profitable to make friends with them and has Contacts. Can handle herself in fight
A75AB6, male, age 32 (not mustered out)
Streetwise 3, Deception 2, Steward 2, Carouse 1, Gambler 1, Pilot (any) 1, Survival 1, Art (any) 0, Drive (any) 0, Life Science (any) 0, Persuade 0, Vacc Suit 0
Enemy
orphaned at a young age and brought up in a variety of nasty establishments when not actually living on the streets, fell in with a wealthy hunter and persuaded to join an expedition but abandoned in wilderness to die. Survived but always on the look out for rich marks to take advantage of and did learn piloting skills thanks to a wealthy yacht owner, has travelled extensively but now back on Anther has formed a relationship with a married woman and gained an enemy in her husband
96BAB6, female, age 33 (not mustered out)
Steward 2, Language (any) 1, Melee (any) 1, Persuade 1, Streetwise 1, Survival 1, Admin 0, Carouse 0, Vacc Suit 0
Enemy
In her first week of teaching practice robbed at knife point one evening and aside from cash etc, lost a lot of confidence, unable to hold down any regular job turned to the sex trade and thanks to a diverse portfolio of clients has some language skills, drives one of the orbital port's Bugs to earn extra money but was once forced to be a drug mule taking narcotics to Capital and was injured while doing so. Still hopes to find her old attacker73A697, female, age 26
Deception 1, Melee (any) 1, Stealth 1, Steward 1, Carouse 0, Life Science (any) 0, Persuade 0, Physical Science (any) 0, Recon 0, Social Science (any) 0, Streetwise 0, Vacc Suit 0
Cr14,000, Ally
spent four years trying to make a go of sex trade without success, drifted off into travel for a term, now back with friends looking to start up again to fund medical treatment for life threatening illness which is already reducing her stamina
For those who want the actual generation to adjust for your own purposes or to do the mustering out:[die rolls marked with full stop immediately before]
All from Career Book 2 (Spica Publishing) except where noted
6AB758
Background: Anther (Core 2021 A300697-E) Vacc Suit 0
Education: Social Science 0
1.18 Companion: Hetaerae/Oiran
Enlist .8 yes
Steward 0,Carouse 0,Deception 0,Streetwise 0, Persuade 0Streetwise 1
S .7 y
E 2/5 chance to appear in doc/vid Yes .2 Failure SOC-1 = 7
A .9 y Rank 1:
Steward 1Stealth 1
2.22
+1 END = C
S .10 y
E .4/2 learn secret. Blackmail. Enemy .6 Failure
A .6 y Rank 2
Steward 2
3.26
Deception 1
S .5 y
E .2/6 make friends with some clients. Contacts x 2
A .9 y Rank 3: Carouse 1
Melee (any) 1
6AC757, female, age 29 (not mustered out)
Steward 2, Carouse 1, Deception 1, Melee (any) 1, Stealth 1, Streetwise 1, Persuade 0, Social Science (any) 0, Vacc Suit 0
Contacts x2, Enemy
A75AB6
Background: Anther (Core 2021 A300697-E) Vacc Suit 0
Education: Drive (any) 0, Art (any) 0, Life Science (any) 0
1.18 Companion: Hetaerae/Oiran
Enlist .6 y
Steward 0,Carouse 0,Deception 0,Streetwise 0, Persuade 0
Deception 1S .11 y
E .2/1 abandoned in wilderness by client. .9 Survival 1
A .11 y Rank 1:
Steward 1Deception 2
2.22
Gambler 1
S .7 y
E .2/5 rich client, “drive” ship Pilot (any) 1
A .6 y Rank 2
Streetwise 1
3.26
Steward 2
S .8 y
E .3/4 LE (Career Book 1, p.13) 3/6 travel +2 to next Qualification roll
A .7+2=9 y Rank 3: Carouse 1
Streetwise 2
4.30
Streetwise 3
S .6 y
E .3/3 LE (Career Book 1, p.13) .5/1 Relationship with married ind. .4+2 (skill) = .6 x Failure Enemy
A .4 x
A75AB6, male, age 32 (not mustered out)
Streetwise 3, Deception 2, Steward 2, Carouse 1, Gambler 1, Pilot (any) 1, Survival 1, Art (any) 0, Drive (any) 0, Life Science (any) 0, Persuade 0, Vacc Suit 0
Enemy
A6BAB6
Background: Anther (Core 2021 A300697-E) Vacc Suit 0
Education: Carouse 0, Admin 0
1.18 Companion: Hetaerae/Oiran
Enlist .7 y
Steward 0,Carouse 0,Deception 0,Streetwise 0,Persuade 0Streetwise 1
S .8 y
E .1/1 Mishap .5: Robbed. Lose Benefit. Enemy
A .8 y Rank 1:
Steward 1Steward 2
2.22
Survival 1
S .6 y
E .4/1 Diverse group of clients Language (any) 1
A .5 x
3.30
Melee (any) 1
S .6 y
E .1/3 Drug Mule 6 Failure. Injury Table (Career Book 2, p.5) .9 STR=9
A .7 y Rank 2
Persuade 1
96BAB6, female, age 33 (not mustered out)
Steward 2, Language (any) 1, Melee (any) 1, Persuade 1, Streetwise 1, Survival 1, Admin 0, Carouse 0, Vacc Suit 0
Enemy
73B697
Background: Anther (Core 2021 A300697-E) Vacc Suit 0
Education: Social Science (any) 0, Life Science (any) 0, Physical Science (any) 0
1.18 Companion: Hetaerae/Oiran
Enlist .6 y
Steward 0, Carouse 0,Deception 0, Streetwise 0, Persuade 0Deception 1
S .5+1=6 y
E .1/1 Mishap .6 Failure -> Drifter career next term
A .7 y Rank 1 Steward 1
Melee (any) 1
MO: 1+1=2
Ally
Cr10,000
Core Rulebook (Mongoose Publishing)
2.22 Drifter: Wanderer
Recon 0
Stealth 1
S .3 x Mishap 4 Life threatening illness END = A
MO: 1
Cr4000
73A697, female, age 26
Deception 1, Melee (any) 1, Stealth 1, Steward 1, Carouse 0, Life Science (any) 0, Persuade 0, Physical Science (any) 0, Recon 0, Social Science (any) 0, Streetwise 0, Vacc Suit 0
Cr14,000,
Ally
On 11 October 2017 at 08:20, Andrea Vallance <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:To explain my thinking. When I'm working I'm selling fantasy not my body, that's just a tool of my trade. These people are clearly engaged in a fantasy, come down here looking for excitement, that's my job. They can clearly afford my services so encourage them to make a booking. Definitely don't try to scam (the don't lie or deceive rule applies). So spin a story to get them back to my room and fork out a little cash. I've made their fantasy a bit richer. If I can make them think they've done a good deed all the better, makes the fantasy even richer. If I can do it without them figuring it all out, better still.On 11 Oct 2017 7:43 pm, "Andrea Vallance" <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:One of the core skills of a sex worker is to be able to read people very quickly. Any sex worker worth their salt would pick up someone "of social standing" trying to pretend not to be. They would quickly realise there's a lot of money and most likely their first reaction would be to try to separate them from some of it, certainly would be mine. In my eyes they'd be "rich boys playing at slumming it" and I wouldn't have too much respect for them. I'd probably think it was funny to play into their fantasy. Most sex workers are very good at playing a part, we starve if we can't.Rich boys slumming it? First instinct go with either the "poor girl driven into this by desperation needing to be rescued" or the "hooker with a heart of gold" probably the first. Either way I'd quickly craft a back story to fit. Poor girl needing to be rescued? Tragic childhood, a few abusive relationships, throw in a young child I'm struggling to care for. Trick is not too overplay it and appear reluctant to reveal the details. Play it deeply ashamed and embarrassed by my circumstances. Might go with good family thrown into poverty by tragic circumstances beyond my control too.Hope that helps. Btw I haven't done street work in decades so I'd never be in the situation :-)On 11 Oct 2017 6:39 pm, "Timothy Collinson" <xxxxxx@port.ac.uk> wrote:Hi there AndreaWhile I don't think my players or I intend for our game to be too detailed in this direction - it is lunchtime with work colleagues after all - your three posts are incredibly helpful for both this immediate need and future possibilities. Thank you. I've snipped all three to a folder to keep and appreciate you speaking up with a perspective I'm unlikely to (easily) find elsewhere.I just need to decide now whether this diversion is going to be a bit of colour for the Scions or whether they've met some Patrons for sub-plot. I'm giving it some thought but am inclined to think there should be some little problem that needs solving or scam that could be run. I just need it to 'work' with the fact that this is a completely chance encounter. But the sex workers have cottoned on to the fact that 'dressed down' (as the Scions *think* they are), there's a *lot* of money currently talking to them.Seems a bit clichéd and possibly patronising to immediately think scam, but the temptation must be huge. I'd prefer a problem to solve I think.Sorry, thinking out loud now. Again, thank you. TML never ceases to amaze me.tcOn 11 Oct 2017 4:17 a.m., "Andrea Vallance" <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:"I've now got to come up not only with some prostitute characters for next time but some back stories for them. I think one of the Spica books will do for the basics but I'm NOT googling "why become a prostitute"! Not while I'm at work at least."Taken from my "hooker manual" (yes I honest to goodness have one). Quotes from sex workers about what they love about the job- The money gives you independence and sometimes it's just about me.- Independence, freedom to self-organise and to travel, set my own hours etc. No need for bosses, work for myself.- I can work whenever I want and see whoever I want.- All of the colourful characters you meet along the way, feeding you insight, new and different perspectives. The chance to grow- The freedom, the money, the clients and the friends- The sex- I love that I have time for other things. I have heaps of flexibility, I'm my own boss and I work when, where and how I want.- Money, sex, work less hours for money. Funny conversations with clients.- The self-esteem boost. I'm constantly being told I'm beautiful, hot and desirable. The clients want me and are willing to pay for the pleasure of my company.These are quotes from actual sex workers. Hope they help.On 10 Oct 2017 3:21 am, "Timothy Collinson" <xxxxxx@port.ac.uk> wrote:tcI should have known. In one well loved reminiscence of TravCon one (nameless) player/PC, arriving - finally - after days of surviving in a vacc suit across the inhospitable terrain of volcanic Spume (a Darrian world), spotted the local lady of ill repute and disappeared with her for the rest of the adventure for the longest shower in the history of the Confederation. At least I'd named that woman!So amidst much humour and trying to keep the noise down for the students outside (we've already moved from a venue on a quiet study floor in the Library to the ground floor where noise isn't policed), I've now got to come up not only with some prostitute characters for next time but some back stories for them. I think one of the Spica books will do for the basics but I'm NOT googling "why become a prostitute"! Not while I'm at work at least.But for some reason, as well as the plants they were after, they took it into their heads they wanted to see some of the underlife of the lower parts of the station. They'd never been on decks that only had two digits numbers for example! Spotting a dubiously dressed trio in the Lower Park who were touting for business (but I genuinely thought would just be part of the scenery!) they decided they would approach them, chat to them and find out why they'd gotten into prostitution. I'm still not sure if this is some charitable mission of the PCs or the players trying to wind up the referee by throwing me a curveball. (They could tell this wasn't part of the adventure I'd written...)I knew today's lunchtime would hit that section of the story and they've had some fun 'dressing down' (but still way too posh for the 'lower decks') and finding an alleybrat rather than a formal Estates Division guide to show them round.They're working their way through my Second Scions' Society adventure which has very very wealthy noble dilettantes on their weekend get together - a dinner, a solar sailing yacht race start and an auction. It all takes place on a massive 1000 deck orbital station around Anther - Jump 4 from Capital. The station is known for it's 'hidden gardens' - corridors filled with plants and flowers etc from the common to the very rare. Some of the PCs have a goal of picking up some rare or expensive plants either as drugs for a friend or gifts for a relative and so on.I should have learned by now. It's happened before in various games.My lunchtime players have been going off piste again. (i.e. off the 'planned for' activities of the session).Another bunch of players in another game hit town looking for rumours and - perhaps very astutely - checked out some bars for such characters reckoning, reasonably, they'd know the lay of the land. Sorry, I probably could have worded that better. Anyway, that's where Briz and Garv Theekston came from (https://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/characters/timo ).thy-collinson/marburg.html Ah well, we'll see if this current crop of PCs ever do find their plants and get to the Count's reception that was *supposed* to be today's main event, next Monday. In the meantime, I'd better get die-rolling and thinking. As well as deciding if this encounter will lead to a whole side adventure. The players do seem to like skiing on virgin snow...----- The Traveller Mailing List Archives at http://archives.simplelists.com/tml Report problems to xxxxxx@simplelists.com To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=P3BA2UIZz1d611PMTCf KBtnoM7mx8DTJ ----- The Traveller Mailing List Archives at http://archives.simplelists.com/tml Report problems to xxxxxx@simplelists.com To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=tbqvcodIhmIcvX3feur FD5KR5hlLu9Su ----- The Traveller Mailing List Archives at http://archives.simplelists.com/tml Report problems to xxxxxx@simplelists.com To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=P3BA2UIZz1d611PMTCf KBtnoM7mx8DTJ ----- The Traveller Mailing List Archives at http://archives.simplelists.com/tml Report problems to xxxxxx@simplelists.com To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=tbqvcodIhmIcvX3feur FD5KR5hlLu9Su ----- The Traveller Mailing List Archives at http://archives.simplelists.com/tml Report problems to xxxxxx@simplelists.com To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.simplelists.com/confirm.php?u=P3BA2UIZz1d611PMTCf KBtnoM7mx8DTJ