“The greatest adventure is what lies ahead,” spoke seasoned Traveller RPG veteran, Dr. Eleanor Vance, in her seminal work, “Across the Void: Crafting Engaging Generation Ship Campaigns”. And what greater adventure than to journey across the vast expanse of space, not on some nimble starship, but aboard a generation ship, a self-contained world hurtling towards a distant star?
Imagine, if you will, the year is 2187. Humanity, having colonized the Solar System, sets its sights on Proxima Centauri b, a potentially habitable planet light-years away. Unable to achieve faster-than-light travel, the solution is audacious: construct a colossal vessel, a generation ship, to carry a segment of humanity on a multi-generational voyage. This isn’t just a spaceship; it’s a mobile ecosystem, a microcosm of Earth itself. This, my fellow Travellers, is where the adventure begins.
Designing Your Generation Ship for Traveller RPG
1. The Scope of Society
Building a generation ship in Traveller RPG goes beyond mere ship design; it’s about crafting a society in miniature.
- Population: How many souls will embark on this grand voyage? Will it be a diverse cross-section of humanity or a carefully selected group?
- Governance: What form of government will maintain order? A democratic republic? A meritocratic council? Or perhaps a corporate entity calling the shots?
- Social Structure: Will your generation ship have social classes? Castes? Or strive for an egalitarian utopia?
- Culture: What traditions, beliefs, and art forms will define your shipboard culture? How will they evolve over generations in isolation?
2. The Lay of the Land (or Ship, Rather)
Consider the physical layout of your generation ship:
- Size and Shape: Is it a colossal cylinder, a rotating wheel for artificial gravity, or a more unconventional design?
- Districts: How is the ship divided? Habitation modules, agricultural zones, industrial sectors, recreational areas – what does your society prioritize?
- Hidden Depths: What secrets lie hidden within the bowels of the ship? Forgotten technologies, abandoned sections, or perhaps something more sinister?
