“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?
