[OPEN] Return to Marinagua! A Classic Traveller Adventure for 3–5 Players (Any Edition)

Return to Marinagua!
A Classic Traveller Adventure for 3–5 Players (Any Edition Welcome)

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The Pitch
The Fifth Frontier War is finally over. Most veterans try to return home and settle into old routines — but some can’t.
Some wake up each morning with a restlessness they can’t explain. Maybe it’s habit, maybe it’s trauma, maybe it’s the quiet.
But eventually, each of you finds yourself staring up at the stars again, wondering what to do next.

Then an unexpected message drops into your inbox:
It sounds harmless enough — which should have been your first warning.

The Travellers will be a part of a contracted security team for a small Imperial Interstellar Scout Service (IISS) outpost in the Theta Borealis Sector, far to spinward of the 3rd Imperium. The Team is to provide site security and security for IISS personnel while they conduct their exploratory and survey missions. The IISS outpost is the only Imperial presence in the Theta Borealis Sector. Many come here from the 3rd Imperium to escape their past or seek fortune.
You came under a contract.

Your team’s first assignment is to investigate the disappearance of an IISS survey crew on the frontier world Marinagua,
a TL–9 planet inhabited by the proud, complex, and politically divided Alejia tribes. Tensions across the planet are rising. The Scouts want answers, and you are the only ones available who must find them — without triggering a diplomatic incident.

This is a mission of diplomacy, investigation, and cultural navigation… wrapped in a job contract you probably should’ve read more carefully.

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The Setting: The Marinagua System
Marinagua (A675930-9) orbits a bright A-class star on the far edge of the Theta Borealis Sector.
It boasts advanced cities and global trade, but remains fractured — a patchwork of tribal cultures each competing for influence and offworld prosperity.

The native species, the Alejia, are tall, long-limbed sophonts with deep traditions, sophisticated languages, and 26 distinct rival nations. Their political landscape is ancient, volatile, and shaped by centuries of inter-tribal disputes.

The IISS sent a small survey team months ago to re-establish contact…
…and then all communication stopped.

Your Ironhand contract: escort, protect, provide security, and report. No heroics.
The reality: nothing is simple on Marinagua, and the locals will judge every word, gesture, and mistake.

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What the Game Is About
🔍 Diplomacy & Cultural Interaction
Success depends on listening, learning, and navigating Alejia tribal politics.
Skills like Liaison, Admin, Persuade, Carouse, Survival, Recon, Steward matter far more than shooting. BUT some combatant skills may help at the end. Strong emphasis on building trust with the Alejia tribes.

🌍 Exploration & Investigation
Follow the trail of the missing IISS team, interview Alejia elders, navigate sacred territories, and unravel conflicting stories.

⚠️ Low Combat, High Consequence
Combat can happen — but even a small firefight could ignite a tribal conflict across half a continent.
The safest weapon is your mouth.

🎭 Character-Driven Play
This adventure supports personal arcs: veterans processing the war, redefining themselves, and deciding who they want to become after the Imperium puts down its rifle.
The will GM provides visuals/maps; players provide personality & choices

Think:
"Mercenary escort team walks into a First Contact situation."
If you like Deep Space Nine diplomacy mixed with low-key Firefly frontier energy, you'll feel right at home.

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Posting Expectations

• 2–3 Main posts by the GM per week, players need to respond to those posts
• RL comes up and I understand, just simply let me know. PM me is the best way.
• It is encouraged that Players collaborate on backstory connections in this game. It is one feature form Mongoose that is great.
• Maps, visuals, and handouts will be provided

Content Warning:
This GAME is PG rated; that is there will surely be foul language, some violence, though that is not the main theme and it will be treated abstractly with minimal gore. ROMANCE is encouraged, but sex of whatever variety should be kept "off camera" and alluded to only in passing...
Safety Tools: I will use safety tools of Lines and Veils. Lines and Veils are a safety tool that makes sure people can list things they don't want included in the game for whatever reason.AI: AI use is welcome. I am not opposed to the use of AI.

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How to Apply
Please leave a comment in this post to tell me about your Traveller (character) concept. Len stated it the best: "A positive experience for all players is my number one priority, and I will strive to be sensitive to the needs of players from marginalized groups. Safety tools will be discussed from day one, and we will have a session zero to make sure we start on the same page in terms of playstyle and tone."

Some elements that I suggest to you to tell me about your Traveller are:
1. Character Overview
Name, career(s), species, a couple personality adjectives, and a portrait if you like.
Example:
Rae Arlen – Human Ex-Scout, quiet, perceptive, dry sense of humor.
2. Short Narrative Scene
A moment that shows who your Traveller is after the war (examples)
• A difficult memory
• A quiet moment of doubt
• A reason they answered Ironhand’s offer
• A relationship that matters to them
3. Why They Joined Ironhand
One or two sentences are fine: money (why do they need the credits), boredom (at home), loyalty (to battle buddies or Friends), desperation (ah you see there was this guys who has a very imposing Mother that thinks we should...), etc.

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Character Creation Guidelines
System: This is a Classic Traveller game, but Any Traveller edition is fine (Classic Traveller or Mongoose 2E preferred).

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Background Guidelines
Your Traveller must be a Veteran of the Fifth frontier War in the following career/background:

• Veteran of the Fifth Frontier War.
• Scout, Marine, Navy, Merchant, Diplomat, Rouge or Agent with past connections to the group. (multiple careers is okay)
• Civilian professional who tagged along with a former service buddy.
• Anyone who plausibly signed up for an Ironhand Security contract.

Everyone should have some reason they couldn’t just go home (or stay home once they mustered out) after the war.
It is encouraged to have a past connection with another player character. It can be something as simple an event during character creation or you share the same home world or served in the same unit. This can be determined in the zero session.
Skill Expectations
At least one of the following skills at level 0 or higher:

• Liaison (or Diplomacy if the Traveller is built using Mongoose)
• Carouse
• Survival
(Or multiple if it fits.)

• Weapons skills are suggested, but not the focus.

The ideal Traveller group should consist of so there are min 5 slots, max 8

• 1 Liaison/Administrative Officer (skill of Liaison, Admin, Diplomacy, or leadership)
• 2-4 Security Specialists (former IISS or private contractors) (skills can consist of Recon, gun Cbt, Security, or Tactics)
• 1 Technical Analyst (Survey/Data Recovery) (skill of Recon, Admin, electronics, [MgT2E – add Sensors to this list])
• 1 Medical or Xenobiological Advisor. (skill of Medical, (MgT2E – add Science specialties: Archaeology, Philosophy, Psychology, Sophontology, or Xenology to this list)).

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APPLY HERE

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ClosingIf you’ve ever wanted to play a Traveller game where the biggest danger isn’t gunfire but saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, or where every clue feels like peeling back a layer of an alien culture that doesn’t want to be misunderstood again… then this game is for you.
If you're interested, reply with a character and let’s get your contract signed. Ironhand Security welcomes you aboard.
"Strength with Integrity — Ironhand Delivers."

Questions?
Ask away in this thread, or feel free to private message me.

Hello, again. I would love to play this, and Victor Shone is my initial character concept. I don't know if it will be final, though. All would depend on the life path character creation if I am selected for this game.

1. Character Overview

Victor Shone – Human Physician, observent, brooding, helps with a warm, tired smile.

2. Short Narrative Scene

Victor sat in the space station's general hall and observed all the ongoing traffic. His eyes fell on a group of refugees as he saw a couple of adults sitting hunched up on the ground. They were either at a loss or were feeling overwhelmed in their current situation. A child was crying in a woman's arm, but even the sobs were coming with occasional pauses. The child had already understood that crying won't give what they wanted. His gaze lingered on for a few more minutes before he sighed and checked his supplies once again for food and money. No, he didn't have enough to share, so he sighed again and diverted his gaze somewhere else. What will his life be now? Would he be able to open a clinic? Would he be allowed to practice? He closed his eyes and sighed for the third time.

3. Why They Joined Ironhand

Victor wanted to settle down but he didn't have his practicing license anymore. He could have tried to get a license from the Imperial officials but he didn't want to get roped into more problems. A much controlled safer alternative was Ironhand. But, he had his doubts there too.

great impetus
More into B5, but the last season(s) of DS9 were good, too. ;-)

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1. Character Overview
John Ervin Eugene Montgomery - Human professional soldier
A proper, sometimes somewhat stiff soldier who likes to resolve open situations by taking spontaneous action – not always to the delight of his superiors. In his spare time, he is an amateur chef and gourmet.

2. Short Narrative Scene
‘Mont – what's going on here?’
‘I've optimised the warehouse to speed up the preparation process and shorten the cold chain.’
The boss looked around the kitchen and took in the changes.
‘And who did you discuss this with?’
‘The head chef said he liked the idea and was considering it, so I just went ahead and implemented it.’
‘Interesting. And how did he react this morning?’
‘The usual – he turned red, shouted and stormed off again. Tonight will be fine.’
‘He quit.’
‘Again?’
‘This time for good.’
‘Couldn't you persuade him to give it a try?’
‘Yes – by firing you.’
‘Understood. Should I take this back down?’
‘No, leave it. Tonight you'll show him the ropes, and tomorrow you'll get the rest of your pay.’
‘Very well, boss.’

3. Why They Joined Ironhand
After his military service, he couldn't find a job that even remotely suited his working style. He lasted longest as an attaché to a diplomatic envoy, but when a misjudged emergency decision was made at a diplomatic reception, he had to take responsibility for the consequences.
Despite his experience, he seems to want to make decisions primarily under the influence of adrenaline. So the contract came in handy.

I would love to play a Traveller story, here is the basic idea

1. Character Overview
Angus Herakles Milord XII - Human – Career High Guard Officer.
Rose through the ranks of the High Guard, serving in Command and Naval Intelligence. Known as a stern but fair commander, respected for discipline and foresight. Always mindful of the welfare of those under his command.
Possesses a dry, understated sense of humor. Readily offers help, whether to comrades or strangers.

2. Short Scene
Angus walked with the measured stride of a man long accustomed to command, his head held high, eyes scanning the street as though it were a deck under inspection. Not far from his home, a young man darted past—panic in his face, pursuers close behind.

Without hesitation, Angus called out, his voice clipped and commanding:
"Here. Inside. Now."

The door shut with a decisive click. Angus remained outside, unmoving, a sentinel at the corner. Moments later, the pursuers rounded the street, their boots striking hard against the pavement.
"Where did he go?" one demanded, voice thick with threat.

Angus’s gaze was steady, his tone cool as a sensor readout.
"He ran. I was watching you."

The words carried weight, but one of the men sneered and swung a fist. Angus shifted barely an inch, the blow missing as if deflected by invisible shields.
"Poor choice," Angus said evenly. "You’ll regret pressing it."

The thug lunged again. This time Angus moved with surgical precision—his hand snapping the attacker’s wrist, his other fist driving into the man’s gut with the force of a gravitic hammer. Air rushed out; the man collapsed.

Angus straightened, his voice calm but edged with steel:
"Take him. Leave. The next strike from any of you will not end so lightly."

The gang faltered, awe and fear in their eyes. They gathered their fallen companion and retreated, leaving Angus alone in the quiet street—still, composed, as if nothing had happened.

3. Why They Joined Ironhand
Not for glory or ambition, but because civilian life left him restless. Boredom gnawed at him, and the unsettling sensation of becoming useless drove him to seek purpose in service. Ironhand offered discipline, challenge, and the certainty that his actions mattered.

This sounds really good initial concept. I know how CT character generation can led a different path. If the character results in a skill that does not end to your concept, you can always come to my view a PM and explain why and what you propose to switch out. An example is that you end up with MED-2, Admin-1, J-o-T-1, Vacc Suit-1, Mechanic. Now the skill 'Mechanic' does not suit your concept and you explain to me why and that you would like to and to ma that makes sense. Therefore going forward your character's skills is MED-2, Admin-1, J-o-T-1, Vacc Suit-1, and Xenobiology-1. Does that make sense to you?

So go ahead and create your character and send me a PM when you are finished. If you arrive at your character you want then go ahead and join the game from the link post.

Dominic- You character concept is also a very good, go ahead and generate your character and send me a PM if you need to change anything for your character concept (like switching out a skill). So go ahead and create your character and send me a PM when you are finished. If you arrive at your character you want then go ahead and join the game from the link post.

Don't forget that the game requires a bit of interaction with the Alejia people, so you may need an interpersonal skill like 'liaison' or 'Persuade'.

YullyBear- You character concept is good, but have you thought about about a Naval Intelligence mid-grade officer that worked with Marine Special Missions units? This way your character understands the capabilities of the ground force operations and what they need on the ground to achieve the mission set. This type of Naval character working on the 'Green' Side would not be seen by the other Imperial Navy (High Guard) Naval Intel types, but he is a known within the Imperial Marine & Imperial Navy Special Mission units and is accepted as 'one of them'.
If this is acceptable to you, go ahead and generate your character and send me a PM if you need to change anything for your character concept (like switching out a skill).

Let me know if this is acceptable and a way forward.

as I stated to Dominic, don't forget that the game requires a bit of interaction with the Alejia people, so you may need an interpersonal skill like 'liaison' or 'Persuade'.

1. Character Overview

Chaala Angushlii, Human Scout, Veteran of the 5th frontier War.
- The citizens of the Imperium, most of them anyway, think of the Scouts as the heroes they see in the TriVee tales, intrepid loners exploring the frontier, but the reality is much more boring, most of the time. Then the war comes and every Scout to Spinward finds their relatively comfortable lives upended, pushed into the frontilne in the smallest and lightest armed ships, monitoring enemy movements and occasionally in a hot zone flying for their lives. Few sophonts can come out of such environments unscathed and Chaala is no exception...

2. Short Narrative Scene


Chaala found her breathing slowing as her feet hit the fused concrete surface of the downport. She could never explain why she carried a low level anxiety on the big liners. Maybe it was not knowing the crew intimately, maybe just the fact that she could have parked her customary transport inside the fuel tanks with plenty of room to spare. Still, feet on solid ground felt better, for now.

She shifted her duffle on her shoulder and headed for the low building made of the same fused concrete as the landing pads. High Speed, Low Bid she thought to herself, At least I don't have to rely on it to keep me alive.

Inside she found an efficient space, Imperial Cordon clearly marked, with a few colorful stalls of locals selling various roasted food, fried food, cheap local outfits sold for more than cheap, and local data plans. The customs officer was clearly a local, though he handled the Imperial standard border scanner with practiced ease.

"Purpose of visit?" The man was efficient, not curt. This was his burst of activity in a sea of boredom and he seemed inclined to get back to the boredom.

"Visiting a friend. Maybe stay a while if the pace suits me, most likely be on my way in not too long." Chaala replied with a smile, "From what I hear it might be too quiet and pleasant here."

Processed through quickly, she picked up some sort of deep fried fruit on a stick from a vendor and went off to seek her friend, to see if the quiet had helped put his demons to rest or if he still shook at night like she did.

3. Why They Joined Ironhand
Seeking peace through high risk. When she found herself wondering if the Zhodani treatments for PTSD weren't a good idea, she decided she had to get back in the field. She was cashiered from the Scouts and, despite the contract saying they coudl recall her at any time, she knew she'd never officially put on the uniform again.

This is a very good and sound character concept. Go ahead and generate your character then send me a PM if you need to change anything for your character concept (like switching out a skill). When you arrive at your character you want then go ahead and join the game from the link post.

Don't forget that the game requires a bit of interaction with the Alejia people, so you may need an interpersonal skill like 'liaison' or 'Persuade'.

If we're using a mix of versions to create characters, do we still apply the Connections Rule (obviously once we know who the PCs are going to be) if we're building using MgT2e?

And regarding dice rolls for attributes and career information, how would you like to proceed?

The short answer is yes. It is one of the features of the Mongoose system that I like as it encourages a shared background. I made a specific "Pre-Game Connections-Background" discussion Thread to facilitate this prior to game start. I would encourage players to keep track of outcomes of the connections for potential skills. This will also apply to the CT characters too, but the Player will need to use the career progression rolls/outcomes/ to create an event. Be creative1 I will always assist it is to have fun for the game.

Just go ahead and generate your character 'off table' (as it were) and then PM me with the character, stats, career outcomes, skills, connections and also give me an idea if there is a need to change a skill to match your character concept.

Does this make sense?

Yes it does, thank you.

No problem!

Ok, I'd like to join your game. I'd like to play an agent, hopefully more of an investigator type than 'Super Duper Gun Guy.' Hopefully the dice will work with me. I'll post a more complete concept once I get home from work.

Name: Sawyer Hayes
Occupation: Agent (Espionage)
Overview: Prides himself on being a 'professional.' Serious, subtle and eminently forgettable when he needs to be. Technical Skills make him an excellent saboteur, and a certain 'moral greyness' allows him to take missions others may balk at. He gets that sometimes he needs to do not nice things to get the job done.

After the war it was strongly suggested that Sawyer Hayes retired. Nearly everybody expected there to be a Sixth war, but nobody seemed eager to fight it right away. Wartime budgets were slashed, assets were burned and the galaxy returned what it jokingly called 'normal'. So. to keep his hand in Sawyer went where the work was. and right now that was a dive bar in a Class B starport one jump removed from anything that could vaguely be called civilzation, chatting up some low level corpo drone.

"So, did you ever shoot anybody?" She giggled as the bartender sat a tall thin stemmed glass of bright purple liquid in front of her. Sawyer looked up at her, not sure how to take that question. He knew that sometimes folks moved up the corporate by pushing someone else off it. Hey, it was a Vargr eat Vargr galaxy out there, who was he to judge?



"Why? You got somebody in mind?" His tone stayed remarkable even, as if he was discussing the weather, or the latest scandal of the Duke of Vilnias. "In cases like this I find it best to arrange some sort of 'accident.' Even if they eventually figure out the 'accident' was really an 'on purpose' you can hopefully buy yourself enough time to get offworld."

Her eyes widened, as if she suddenly realized how dangerous he was. "My corp is hiring...in the Marinagua Sector...I don't know any more details..." She scrawled a set of comm codes on a bar napkin, then got up and hurried out of the bar, probably hoping to put a few star systems between them.

The bartender watched her leave with a smirk. He put a tumbler with a green fizzy liquid in front of Sawyer, the picked up the purple drink and downed it in one shot. "Smooth boss, real smooth."

Why he joined Ironhand: You never leave "The Trade" everybody knows that. Sawyer missed the challenge of espionage. Moving into the corp world seems like a natural next step.

Big fan of Traveller and a Firefly frontier vibe sounds like fun. As for character I usually let the dice rolls tell the story and then I work around it. However, under the assumption I can create a character that fits this description this is what I would like to play.

Character Overview

Virel Kilmire - Human, Ex-Imperial Diplomatic Corps (Disgraced)

Adjectives: Wearily observant, eloquent in silence, self-loathing, haunted, precise

Portrait: Would depend upon his final age and 'life events' - however, something like this: Mid-x thin frame, always wears a faded Imperial diplomatic sash pinned crookedly over his civilian coat, the insignia worn down to a ghost. One eye has a faint scar above it, from an incident no one talks about. He never drinks alcohol… but carries a flask of tea he brews.


Short Narrative Scene

Virel sits on a cracked vinyl bench in the empty transit hub. The last flight left hours ago. The next won’t come for six more. Six months of this: different port, same rot. He glances down at his hand-held comm, not to check for messages, there are none, but just to give his hands something to do. His inbox holds one message. Six months old. He doesn’t need to read it anymore, he already knows the words by heart.

Your security clearance has been revoked indefinitely. You are no longer authorized to represent the Imperium in any diplomatic capacity.

He knew it was coming. He just didn’t know how heavy the weight of knowing would be. To fight it… would have meant becoming someone he had long since been.

He sighs. Pulls a flask from his coat, not whiskey, never whiskey anymore. Tea. Cold now. Bitter. He takes a sip anyway.

The arrivals board flickers an ad, bright and intrusive, flashing across the dark glass:
IRONHAND SECURITY SOLUTIONS — NOW HIRING

He stares at it a long time. Not because he needs the credits. Not even because he wants to run. But because… maybe, just maybe, there’s still a way to be something other than the man he has become. Maybe he can make amends, not for what he did… but for someone else.


Why He Joined Ironhand

Virel joined partially to escape his past, but also a way if not to help recover his past reputation than a piece of his soul. To remember what honor once felt like.

Hi Kier01,

This is an excellent and well-thought-out character concept — great start!
Go ahead and fully generate your Traveller using your preferred system (Classic Traveller or Mongoose Traveller 2e are both welcome in this game).

If, during chargen, you find that you want to adjust a skill, swap an event, or tweak something to better fit your concept, feel free to send me a PM — I’m happy to help you shape the character so it lines up with what you envision.

Once you have your final sheet ready, then just join the game via the posted link and drop it into the Character tab.

A small reminder for Marinagua:
Because the campaign includes regular interaction with the Alejia people, it’s very helpful if your Traveller has at least one interpersonal skill (Classic: Liaison, Admin, Streetwise; Mongoose: Persuade, Diplomat, Deception, etc.). It doesn’t have to be high — just something that helps you navigate cross-cultural situations.

Looking forward to seeing the finished version of your Traveller!

— GM

Hey dabaggins, as always you have great ideas,

As usual, this is an excellent and well-thought-out character concept — great start!
Go ahead and fully generate your Traveller using your preferred system (Classic Traveller or Mongoose Traveller 2e are both welcome in this game).

If, during chargen, you find that you want to adjust a skill, swap an event, or tweak something to better fit your concept, feel free to send me a PM — I’m happy to help you shape the character so it lines up with what you envision.

Once you have your final sheet ready, then just join the game via the posted link and drop it into the Character tab.

A small reminder for Marinagua:
Because the campaign includes regular interaction with the Alejia people, it’s very helpful if your Traveller has at least one interpersonal skill (Classic: Liaison, Admin, Streetwise; Mongoose: Persuade, Diplomat, Deception, etc.). It doesn’t have to be high — just something that helps you navigate cross-cultural situations.

Looking forward to seeing the finished version of your Traveller!

— GM