What sort of Team? What sort of Ship?

Sep 13, 2026 11:24 pm
Your team could be in the employ of the Imperium's Bureau of Antiquities or part of Imperium Naval Intelligence or some other more obscure government agency. That would make you legal and provide all sorts of support. But not much freedom of action, unless you are in an agency where "the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions..."

The team could be a licensed and fully authorized academic expedition. Totally above board and in the open. Legal. Not a lot of freedom. Possibly tight budget and high oversight?

You could be financed by a patron or patrons. Wealthy Collectors. Independent Researchers. Nefarious MegaCorporations. Probably not legal. Definitely clandestine. Plenty of funding...

Or go Freelance. You have all the problems of financing and avoiding the law on your own heads. Finding buyers on the black-market. Potentially lucrative. Surely dangerous.

---
Depending on your choice above, then do you travel the starlanes on Liners and Free Traders? Or do you operate your own ship? Having your own ship whether you (or the bank) owns it or your agency or patron provides it means you have to crew it yourselves. We can go any way you choose!
Sep 14, 2026 1:08 am
I'd like this game to be focused on roleplay. Number crunching isn't a lot of fun for me, and I definitely don't want to deal with things like mortgage payments, ship upkeep, docking fees, etc.

I'm thinking the characters could have a wealthy patron who owns the ship outright or has already paid for it. The financial details would be handled in the background unless the characters wanted to purchase something particularly expensive. In that case, they'd have to speak with the patron (the GM).

The patron would pay the going rate for a crew position, so each character would have access to some personal funds. The characters wouldn't live a life of luxury, but they wouldn't be poor either. This would let us focus on the adventure and roleplay rather than bookkeeping.
Sep 14, 2026 1:51 am
I tend to go the Free lance route like Indi-Jones does. Maybe my character worked with the worked with famous team of Dr. Gansay Trah Noh and her husband Dr. Trần Nhân Nôh.

A University fellowship or as a tenured professor with a grant and only one class to teach ever other year or so. Working on another paper that requires 'research' of Antiquities...

The ship, is you know, well that is from the University of course....
or
We charter a Free Trader using the funding from the grant(s) from the Imperium's Bureau of Antiquities and the other grant from some business entity...... (in simple terms, a bucket money to find something, a ship we ride on with a crew that may be not totally legal....)

a stream of thoughts keep running from my head on this....Sorry... what about the:

Caranda Collegiate University
Caranda Collegiate University, commonly called Caranda, is a small independent independent institution of higher learning based in the city of Kingsbury on Regina. It is named for Baron Caranda, the historic defender of Regina during the Second Frontier War who was later elevated to Marquis and, in 629, became the first Duke of the newly created Duchy of Regina.

Founded in 637 under the patronage of the Caranda family, the university was intended to provide the growing Spinward Marches with a center of scholarship independent of institutions in the Imperial Core. Although Caranda follows an old British collegiate model, it has no historical connection to a Core university or any Solomani institution.

Caranda is a loosely organized federation of residential colleges, research institutes, museums, and scholarly foundations administered by a chartered nonprofit corporation. Institutions may be created, combined, or dissolved as funding and research priorities change. Its governing University Council includes academics, Reginan civic leaders, retired Scouts, commercial patrons, and two representatives appointed by the Duke of Regina.

Despite its age, Caranda does not possess the standing of Regina’s prestigious Six Sisters. It lacks their breadth of instruction, financial resources, and reputation for achievement across multiple academic disciplines. Caranda is sometimes dismissively called the "Seventh Sister," although none of the Six Sisters formally recognizes that title. Its graduates may find their credentials treated as second-rate in elite Reginan academic circles.

Caranda’s reputation is considerably stronger among Scouts, field researchers, museums, and Imperial civil servants. Its principal institution, the Caranda Institute of Antiquities and Sophont Studies, specializes in archaeology, archaeometry, extinct languages, comparative sophontology, and the investigation of pre-Imperial sites. Students receive practical training aboard chartered merchant vessels, Scout Service ships, and university expedition craft.

Caranda’s most prestigious division is the Marches Institute of Antiquities, which specializes in archaeology, archaeometry, extinct languages, comparative sophontology, and the study of pre-Imperial civilizations. Regina is particularly suited to this work because the world contains an archaeological site associated with artifacts suspected to be of Ancient origin. Its position as a wealthy subsector capital, with a Class A starport and Imperial Scout facilities, also makes it an excellent base for expeditions throughout the Marches.

The Institute maintains a special working relationship with the Imperium’s Bureau of Antiquities. The Bureau sponsors expeditions, assigns visiting specialists, and recruits heavily from Caranda’s graduates. In return, Caranda provides regional expertise, independent analysis, secure artifact storage, and field teams accustomed to operating beyond well-established Imperial routes.

Consequently, Caranda occupies an unusual position. It is socially overshadowed by the Six Sisters but often entrusted with discoveries that their more prestigious scholars are unwilling or unprepared to pursue. Among frontier archaeologists, a Caranda field qualification may carry more weight than an elegant degree from one of Regina’s celebrated Sisters.
Sep 14, 2026 2:00 am
If we're going to have two college professors, going freelance and living off of grants sounds good.

Muns: maybe your character "takes pity" on my character and wants him to be on his team?

My character idea is posted on the Characters thread.
Last edited September 14, 2026 2:19 am
Sep 14, 2026 2:19 am
I have no problem with that, but instead of pity, he introduces him with good recommendation letters to the Academic Professors for a position as a Lecturer. With the position of Lecturer as the typically the entry-level permanent academic role. Lecturers teach undergraduate or postgraduate courses, supervise student projects, and conduct research within their discipline.
They work together and of course on the work of the Trust which funds their research.
Sep 14, 2026 2:26 am
Great idea! Let's go with that.
Sep 14, 2026 5:52 am
OK, sounds like the Academia route is a good possibility. We'll want to give new players a voice in this before we commit, though. Funding will not be unlimited and you'll have to operate on a budget and within the confines of a research grant. That might be some Corporate or Government involvement... Good roleplaying opportunities.
Sep 14, 2026 9:53 pm
Absolutely!

I will be quite right now until the new players come aboard and begin the session Zero.
Sep 15, 2026 6:41 pm
OK, we're waiting on dabaggins plus a couple of additional players who are not experienced Traveller players. I've sent out the invites which have not yet been accepted.

I will include MAXI, a Dyma-12 general purpose BOT who can fill in whatever skill blanks the team might have.

Otherwise the team might comprise A "Senior Scientist", a "Junior Scientist", a "Pilot-Navigator", and a "Chief Ship's Engineer". Another Junior-Scientist and/or a Security Specialist would probably be useful. I am considering including another NPC as a "ship minder/accountant/legal-beagle" sort of character. What do you think? (Of course a player could adopt that RC Rains sort of role!)
Sep 15, 2026 6:56 pm
playbydave says:
OK, we're waiting on dabaggins plus a couple of additional players who are not experienced Traveller players. I've sent out the invites which have not yet been accepted.
GREAT!
playbydave says:
I will include MAXI, a Dyma-12 general purpose BOT who can fill in whatever skill blanks the team might have.
Sounds fair and logical, but how would you avoid the 'crutch' or gimicy that players may rely on?
playbydave says:
Otherwise the team might comprise A "Senior Scientist", a "Junior Scientist", a "Pilot-Navigator", and a "Chief Ship's Engineer". Another Junior-Scientist and/or a Security Specialist would probably be useful.
Sounds like a start. The other options is to have the 'Team' charter a vessel to take them to different places. Just an idea.
playbydave says:
I am considering including another NPC as a "ship minder/accountant/legal-beagle" sort of character. What do you think? (Of course a player could adopt that RC Rains sort of role!)
You mean LC Rains? (smile)
Sep 15, 2026 7:06 pm
Muns says:
playbydave says:
OK, we're waiting on dabaggins plus a couple of additional players who are not experienced Traveller players. I've sent out the invites which have not yet been accepted.
GREAT!
playbydave says:
I will include MAXI, a Dyma-12 general purpose BOT who can fill in whatever skill blanks the team might have.
Sounds fair and logical, but how would you avoid the 'crutch' or gimicy that players may rely on?
playbydave says:
Otherwise the team might comprise A "Senior Scientist", a "Junior Scientist", a "Pilot-Navigator", and a "Chief Ship's Engineer". Another Junior-Scientist and/or a Security Specialist would probably be useful.
Sounds like a start. The other options is to have the 'Team' charter a vessel to take them to different places. Just an idea.
playbydave says:
I am considering including another NPC as a "ship minder/accountant/legal-beagle" sort of character. What do you think? (Of course a player could adopt that RC Rains sort of role!)
You mean LC Rains? (smile)
I don't think that's been a problem in the past, but its a good question. Mainly MAXI is there to clean and cook and fold down the bedding... But can be used in a 'pinch' for other tasks.
Sep 15, 2026 7:10 pm
I'm probably going to impose a particular ship on the team. Whether its a charter or part of 'grant' is yet to be determined, but I suspect you'll want your own ship. ("Your own" meaning owned by the university and or 'grant funder' and loaned to the team for the duration of the expedition.)

I am going to modify the old school "Safari Ship". Beef up the drives, add supply storage, convert one or more staterooms to a secure research lab.
Sep 15, 2026 7:10 pm
Just a thought, but...

If the expedition charters a ship with its own NPC crew, the player characters no longer need to cover routine ship operations. That gives the players freedom to form a proper relic-hunting expedition instead of spending half the party on Pilot, Navigation, and Engineering. The NPC captain remains legally responsible for the ship, while the player expedition leader controls the archaeological mission.

This allows for the player character Team to concentrate on Relic Hunter style characters and would give the team options such as:
  • Senior Scientist and Expedition Director : Xenoarchaeology, Leadership, Administration, Liaison, and academic authority.
  • Field Director and Intelligence Analyst : handles investigation, records, pattern analysis, permits, provenance, and operational planning
  • Artifact Conservator and Technical Specialist : Archaeometry, electronics, robotics, engineering analysis, containment, and preservation.
  • Security and Field Operations Specialist: Reconnaissance, weapons, survival, tactical planning, and expedition logistics.
  • Linguist and Sophontologist : Languages, inscriptions, anthropology, cultural negotiation, and interpretation of non-Human behavior. This would be especially important when dealing with Droyne, Chirpers, extinct sophonts, or local populations that claim a connection to a site.
  • Xenobiologist and Expedition Medic : Examines biological remains, biofacts, ecofacts, contamination, and unfamiliar lifeforms. This character provides medical support when the expedition is away from the ship.
  • Patron’s Agent and Legal Specialist: If the campaign emphasizes Imperial politics, artifact ownership, black markets, and the Bureau of Antiquities.

This is just thoughts and nothing is binding. Just throwing ideas out....or making a mess of things (grin)

EDIT:
more adds to dirty the water
Proposed Division of authority
Situation Final authority
Archaeological interpretation Senior Scientist
Selection of research objectives Expedition Director
Flight and ship safety NPC Captain
Surface tactical emergency PC Security Specialist
Artifact handling and preservation PC Conservator
Quarantine aboard ship Ship’s Medic
Imperial legal compliance Expedition Director or Legal Specialist


These are just thoughts and you can erase or just use this as an example.
Last edited September 15, 2026 7:16 pm
Sep 15, 2026 7:12 pm
Space Flight is NOT going to be emphasized in this game. You will probably spend lengthy periods on planetary surfaces. Thus the need for a separate ship's crew is probably not necessary. Up to you, of course!
Sep 15, 2026 7:13 pm
Quote:
concentrate on Relic Hunter style characters and would give the team options such as:
Senior Scientist and Expedition Director : Xenoarchaeology, Leadership, Administration, Liaison, and academic authority.
Field Director and Intelligence Analyst : handles investigation, records, pattern analysis, permits, provenance, and operational planning
Artifact Conservator and Technical Specialist : Archaeometry, electronics, robotics, engineering analysis, containment, and preservation.
Security and Field Operations Specialist: Reconnaissance, weapons, survival, tactical planning, and expedition logistics.
Linguist and Sophontologist : Languages, inscriptions, anthropology, cultural negotiation, and interpretation of non-Human behavior. This would be especially important when dealing with Droyne, Chirpers, extinct sophonts, or local populations that claim a connection to a site.
Xenobiologist and Expedition Medic : Examines biological remains, biofacts, ecofacts, contamination, and unfamiliar lifeforms. This character provides medical support when the expedition is away from the ship.
Patron’s Agent and Legal Specialist: If the campaign emphasizes Imperial politics, artifact ownership, black markets, and the Bureau of Antiquities.
Great List!
Sep 15, 2026 8:52 pm
It sounds like there's a character in there for me!
Sep 16, 2026 5:47 pm
What kind of characters do we have so far?

I am presuming a group of freelancers is going to stick to planets with at least a breathable atmosphere to save the credits on survival gear.
Sep 16, 2026 8:10 pm
Good Questions. It hasn't been decided yet if characters will be "Free Lancers" and possibly operating outside the law... Or whether they'll be part of some organization. There are any number of individuals, corporations, academic institutes, and government agencies with strong interest in recovering Ancient artifacts, in particular Ancient Tech.

There is a strong, though risky, Black Market in Artefacts.

I think so far the lean has been towards an Academic Institute as the team's employers or sponsors. But it definitely has NOT been decided.

3 character concepts so far have all been Scientists. So what other sorts would an expedition need?

Discuss.
ToDream says:
What kind of characters do we have so far?

I am presuming a group of freelancers is going to stick to planets with at least a breathable atmosphere to save the credits on survival gear.
Sep 17, 2026 2:26 am
Nice list Muns. Makes it easier to come up with a basic concept. As stated elsewhere I'm going towards the Xenobiologist and Expedition Medic line.

As for how we earn money, I'm fine with either being freelance or working directly for an organization. Either could be interesting and would work within the context of the scenario.

For expeditions if we are going with the timeline that this is just after the war is that could be linked in to what we are doing or simply adding to our backstories?
Sep 17, 2026 3:42 am
dabaggins says:
Nice list Muns. Makes it easier to come up with a basic concept. As stated elsewhere I'm going towards the Xenobiologist and Expedition Medic line.[quote]
Thanks! I had some ideas, not many.

[quote="dabaggins"]As for how we earn money, I'm fine with either being freelance or working directly for an organization. Either could be interesting and would work within the context of the scenario. [quote]
I think working for an organization that funds the team is good, no worrying about the ship nor the day to day costs, just go there and find this. Or "...there is a map I found in this old section in the Hans Gault der Shillash library, no really an actual hard map. It says....." "What? You got to be kidding? No one has seen the site in the last 200 years?"
"Yeah, I think so...it says here that..."
"The Doctor is doing research on that right now, lets go ask him"
etc.

[quote="dabaggins"]For expeditions if we are going with the timeline that this is just after the war is that could be linked in to what we are doing or simply adding to our backstories?
My recommendation is 1112, which is 18 months after the cessation of the FFW, which means some worlds are still fighting or just learning it started. So things are still loosy-goosey.
Seams in the legal system and Military governors that just want to be finished with occupation and get their Marines and Soldiers home before the wreck the locals again in their startown bars. Just like when the wall came down in the USSR was opened and no one really knew what to do with all of the nuclear missiles or the tons of weapons in storage
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