If you’re looking into tabletop roleplaying games and want to move beyond the obvious recommendation of Dungeons & Dragons, and maybe laser cannons are more your jam than wizards casting fireball, there is at least one other very long-running candidate out there to consider: Traveller. The roleplaying game of space adventure in the distant future. But where are you travelling to? We’re here to fill you in on the franchise.
The Basics
Traveller is a science fiction, space opera franchise
co-created by Marc Miller. The primary medium of the franchise is the tabletop
roleplaying game, which was first published in 1977 by Game Designers’ Workshop
(GDW) out of Illinois, of which Miller was the co-founder and owner along with
fellow designers Frank Chadwick, Rich Banner and Loren Wiseman. Traveller
was primarily developed by Miller, Chadwick, Wiseman and John Harshman.
Traveller was a smash hit on release in July 1977,
perhaps helped by the release of a certain movie just seven weeks earlier that
saw an explosion in demand for anything with spaceships, lasers and robots. Traveller
also tapped into the nascent roleplaying market, where D&D was by
far the most dominant game but was already being criticised for somewhat clunky
rules. Traveller was revolutionary in its approach which eschewed
multiple dice types for just using six-sided dies (d6s) and not using levels
for character development, instead creating a robust skill system. Traveller
also pioneered what would later be called the “Lifepath” system, where players
generate their characters’ backstories, skills, aptitudes and relationships
before the campaign itself begins. This was usually done in a pre-campaign
special session, what we would now call “Session 0.” Though prep sessions for D&D
were not unknown, Traveller arguably codified them as an integral part
of the campaign. Famously (though somewhat exaggerated), the career system in Traveller
could theoretically kill characters during character creation, leading to the
game being dubbed the most hardcore and deadly roleplaying game around, though
subsequent editions rolled back on this approach.
Traveller quickly became a mainstay of the TTRPG
industry and one of its best-known games and constant sellers, and possibly the
first TTRPG after D&D to crack a million sales. Its initial rules
were extremely well-received, with a simple core concept which allowed for a
huge amount of complexity in the form of rolling 2 six-sided dice, adding
positive modifiers from skills, and trying to beat a target number depending on
difficulty. This simple core had a very large number of modules built onto it
through expansions, allowing for starship and robot construction, military
operations and exploration (a nod at creating scenarios similar to Star Wars
and Star Trek), planet and sector creation and so on. This system
inspired the rules of various other games, including the official Star Wars
roleplaying game from West End Games that came out in 1987, which was similarly
d6-based.
The original version of the game is known as Classic
Traveller and is identifiable from its minimalist plain black books with
striking red text in the Optima font. The first three books were released in a
boxed set to form the core rules system. The main books have no other artwork
on the covers, and it was only later in the early 1980s that adventures started
adding artwork to their covers. Classic Traveller ran for ten years,
with a large number of sourcebooks and adventures published. GDW also
encouraged third-party contributions, with numerous other companies and fans
(individually or in groups) writing adventures and sourcebooks, some accepted
as official canon. Famed TTRPG company FASA started life publishing Traveller
adventures, for example, before they developed their own BattleTech aka MechWarrior
universe, partially inspired by Traveller (especially the starmaps).
Games Workshop also reprinted Traveller rulebooks for the UK market and
created a range of miniatures for it, some of which were later repurposed for
their Warhammer 40,000 game.
Sales of Traveller began to fall off in the late
1980s and the game was replaced by a new edition called MegaTraveller
(1987), in which the Emperor of the Third Imperium is assassinated, triggering
a rebellion and civil war. This era saw the publication of the first (and, to
date, only) Traveller video roleplaying games, MegaTraveller 1: The
Zhodani Conspiracy (1990) and MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients
(1991), for the PC, Amiga and Atari ST.
MegaTraveller was supplanted by Traveller: The New
Era in 1993, which adopted a full-on post-apocalyptic setting with a
powerful computer virus ravaging human technology. It was controversial amongst
fans and the fanbase fractured after its release, with many small groups
developing third-party material ending their development of the franchise.
Game Designers’ Workshop collapsed during The New Era
and the rights reverted to Marc Miller. Marc Miller developed Marc Miller’s
Traveller, better known as Traveller 4th Edition or T4,
for release in 1996. The game’s setting is “Milieu 0,” set during the founding
of the Third Imperium and avoiding awkward questions about canon.
Steve Jackson Games licensed the setting to release GURPS
Traveller in 1998, using their GURPS (General Universal Role-Playing System) rules, which is set in a
parallel timeline where the fall of the Third Imperium never happened. This was
followed by Traveller 20 or T20 in 2002, an adaptation of the
setting and rules to the Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd Edition (or
D20) rules system. In 2006 GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars was
released, which chronicled the first contact between the Terran Confederation
and the First Imperium. Comstar Games also released Traveller Hero,
using their own Hero rules system, in 2006.
Marc Miller developed his own newer version of the game,
called Traveller 5, for release in 2013, with a revised edition in 2019.
This version of the game is incredibly deep, complex and simulationist, with
less of a focus on the established setting in favour of allowing the Referee to
create their own setting. The rules are broadly compatible with Traveller,
T4 and Mongoose Traveller and can be used to enhance a campaign
using those rules.
The current mainline development of Traveller was
taken over by Britain’s Mongoose Publishing in 2008. Mongoose Traveller
(an informal name, the official name is just Traveller) became the most
successful line since the original edition. In 2016 Mongoose Traveller 2nd
Edition was released with hugely updated production values. In 2022 this
was superseded by Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition Update, a
minor revision of 2nd Edition with new rulebooks. This has become one
of the most prolific and best-selling modern tabletop roleplaying games, with many
dozens of supplements, adventures and rulebooks released.
In 2025 Marc Miller sold all remaining IP rights to the Traveller
game to Mongoose, confirming their status as the official producers of all Traveller
materials. Mongoose continue to develop Traveller, including the Fifth
Frontier War sub-line.
For a more detailed look at the publication history of Traveller, please check out This is Free Trader Beowulf: A System History of Traveller by Shannon Appelcline.
MUCH MORE AFTER THE JUMP:
The Canon
Classic Traveller (1977)
Core Books: Traveller: Science Fiction Adventure in
the Far Future (boxed set containing Book 1: Characters & Combat,
Book 2: Starships and Book 3: Worlds & Adventures) (1977) •
Book 4: Mercenary (1978) • Book 5: High Guard (1980) • Book 0: An
Introduction to Traveller (1981) • Book 6: Scouts (1983) • Book 7: Merchant
Prince (1985) • Book 8: Robots (1986) • The Classic Books 0-8
(2000)
Supplements: Supplement 1: 1001 Characters (1978) •
Supplement 2: Animal Encounters (1979) • Supplement 3: The Spinward
Marches (1979) • Supplement 4: Citizens of the Imperium (1979) •
Supplement 5: Lightning Class Cruisers (1980) • Supplement 6: 76
Patrons (1980) • Supplement 7: Traders & Gunboats (1980) •
Supplement 8: Library Data A-M (1981) • Supplement 9: Fighting Ships
(1981) • Supplement 10: The Solomani Rim (1982) • Supplement 11: Library
Data N-Z (1982) • Special Supplement 1: Merchant Prince (1982) •
Supplement 12: Forms & Charts (1983) • Supplement 13: Veterans
(1983) • Special Supplement 2: Exotic Atmospheres (1983) • Special
Supplement 3: Missiles in Traveller (1984) • Special Supplement 4: The
Lost Rules (2008) • Classic Supplements (2000)
Adventures: Adventure 1: The Kinunir (1979) •
Adventure 2: Research Station Gamma (1980) • Adventure 3: Twilight’s
Peak (1980) • Adventure 4: Leviathan (1980) • Adventure 0: Introductory
Adventure – The Imperial Fringe (1981) • Adventure 5: Trillion Credit
Squadron (1981) • Adventure 6: Expedition to Zhodane (1981) •
Adventure 7: Broadsword (1982) • Adventure 8: Prison Planet
(1982) • Adventure 9: Nomads of the World Ocean (1983) • Adventure 10: Safari
Ship (1984) • Adventure 11: Murder on Arcturus Station (1983) •
Adventure 12: Secret of the Ancients (1984) • Adventure 13: Signal GK
(1985) • Classic Adventures (2000)
Double Adventures: Double Adventure 1: Shadows / Annic
Nova (1980) • Double Adventure 2: Mission on Mithril / Across the Bright
Face (1980) • Double Adventure 3: Death Station / The Argon Gambit
(1981) • Double Adventure 4: Marooned / Marooned Alone (1981) • Double
Adventure 5: Chamax Plague / Horde (1981) • Double Adventure 6: Night
of Conquest / Divine Intervention (1982) • Double Adventure 7: A Plague
of Perruques / Stranded on Arden (2001) • Short Adventure 8: Memory
Alpha (2001) • Double Adventure 1-6 + The Classic Short Adventures
(2001)
Alien Modules: Alien Module 1: Aslan (1984) • Alien
Module 2: K’kree: Encounters with the Enigmatic Centaurs (1984) • Alien
Module 3: Vargr (1984) • Alien Module 4: Zhodani (1985) • Alien
Module 5: Droyne (1985) • Alien Module 6: Solomani (1986) • Alien
Module 7: Hivers (1986) • Alien Module 8: Darrians (1987) • The
Alien Modules 1-4 (2001) • The Alien Modules 5-8 (2001)
Modules: M01: Tarsus: World Beyond the Frontier
(1983, box set) • MO2: BeltStrike: Riches & Danger in the Bowman Belt
(1984, box set) • MO3: The Spinward Marches Campaign: Adventures in a
War-Ravaged Sector (1985) • MO4: Atlas of the Imperium (1984) • MO5:
Alien Realms (1986)
Board Games: G0: Imperium (1977) • G2: Snapshot
(1979) • G3: Azhanti High Lightning (1980) • G6: Dark Nebula
(1980) • G1: Mayday (1980) • G4: Fifth Frontier War (1981) • G5: Invasion:
Earth (1981) • G7: Striker (1981) • The Classic Games 1-6
(2004)
MegaTraveller (1987)
Sourcebooks: MegaTraveller (1987, boxed set) • Referee’s
Companion (1987) • Rebellion Source Book (1988) • COACC: Close
Orbit & Airspace Control Command (1989) • Fighting Ships of the
Shattered Imperium (1990) • Knightfall (1990) • Hard Times
(1991) • Assignment Vigilante (1992) • Astrogator’s Guide to the
Diaspora Sector (1992) • Arrival Vengeance (1992)
Digest Group Publications: Grand Census (1987) • Grand
Survey (1987) • 101 Robots (1987) • 101 Vehicles (1988) • The
Early Adventures (1988) • Starship Operator’s Manual (1988) • Referee’s
Gaming Kit (1989) • World Builders’ Handbook (1989) • Alien –
Vilani & Vargr (1990) • The Flaming Eye Campaign Sourcebook
(1990) • Alien – Solomani & Aslan (1991)
Traveller: The New Era (1993)
Sourcebooks: Traveller: The New Era Core Rules
(1993) •
The New Era Deluxe (1993, boxed set) • Upgrade Booklet for Fire,
Fusion & Steel (1993) • Battle Rider (1993) • Brilliant
Lances (1993) • Fire, Fusion & Steel (1993) • Survival Margin
(1993) • Path of Tears (1994) • Reformation Coalition Equipment Guide
(1994) • Star Vikings (1994) • Striker II (1994) • Smash
& Grab (1994) • Traveller Players’ Forms (1994) • Traveller
Referee’s Screen (1994) • World Tamer’s Handbook (1994) • Aliens
of the Rim: Hivers & Ithklur (1995) • The Guilded Lilly (1995) •
Regency Combat Vehicle Guide (1995) • The Regency Sourcebook: Keepers
of the Flame (1995) • Vampire Fleets (1995)
Marc Miller’s Traveller (T4) (1996)
Sourcebooks: Marc Miller’s Traveller 4th
Edition (1996) • Alien’s Archive (1996) • Central Supply Catalogue
(1996) • Fire, Fusion & Steel (1996) • Game Screen (1996) • JTAS25
(1996) • Milieu 0: Memory Alpha (1996) • Milieu 0: Campaign
(1996) • T4 Starships (1996) • Anomalies (1997) • Emperors
Arsenal (1997) • Emperors Vehicles (1997) • Imperial Squadrons
(1997) • JTAS26 (1997) • Naval Architect’s Manual (1997) • Pocket
Empires (1997) • Psionics Institutes (1997) • T4: First Survey
(1997) • Gateway to the Stars (1998) • Missions of State (1998)
Adventures: Adventure 1: Long Way Home (1997) •
Adventure 2: Gateway! (1997) • Adventure 3: Annililik Run (1997)
GURPS Traveller (1998)
Sourcebooks: GURPS Traveller (1998) • Alien
Races 1 (1998) • Behind the Claw (1998) • Alien Races 2 (1999)
• Far Trader (1999) • First In (1999) • GURPS Traveller, 2nd
Edition (1999) • Star Mercs (1999) • Starports (1999) • Alien
Races 3 (2000) • Rim of Fire (2000) • Alien Races 4 (2001) • GM’s
Screen (2002) • Heroes 1: Bounty Hunters (2002) • Heroes 2: Fighter
Jocks (2003) • Humaniti (2003) • Starships (2003) • Modular
Cutter (2004) • Nobles (2004) • Sword Worlds (2004) • Interstellar
Wars (2006)
Planetary Surveys: Planetary Survey 1: Kamsii
(2000) • Planetary Survey 2: Denuli (2001) • Planetary Survey 3: Granicus
(2002) • Planetary Survey 4: Glisten (2002) • Planetary Survey 5: Tobibak
(2002) • Planetary Survey 6: Darkmoon (2002)
Deck Plans: Deck Plan 1: Beowulf Class Far Trader
(2000) • Deck Plan 2: Modular Cutter (2002) • Deck Plan 3: Empress
Marava Class Far Trader (2002) • Deck Plan 4: Assault Cutter (2002)
• Deck Plan 5: Sulieman Class Scout / Courier (2002) • Deck Plan 6: Dragon
Class System Defense Boat (2002)
Traveller 20 (T20) (2002)
Sourcebooks: The Traveller’s Handbook (2002) • T20
Lite (2002) • Traveller T20 Referee’s Screen (2002) • Gateway to
Destiny (2004) • Personal Weapons of Charted Space (2004) • Yiarn
Caardee Vehicle Catalogue (2004) • Traveller’s Guidebook (2004)
Traveller Hero (2007)
Sourcebooks: Adventurers in Charted Space:
Character Creation, Psionics, Combat and Races (2007) • Adventure
in Charted Space: The Imperium, Gadgets, Vehicles, Robots and Starships
(2007)
Mongoose Traveller 1st Edition (2008)
Core Books: Traveller Core Rulebook (2008) • Character
Record Pack (2009) • Golden Age Starships Compilation (2009) • Traveller
Core Rulebook Pocket Edition (2009) • Referee’s Screen (2009) • Compendium
1 (2010) • Compendium 2 (2012)
Sourcebooks: Book 0: An Introduction to Traveller
(2008) •
Book 1: Mercenary (2008) • Book 2: High Guard (2008) • Book 3: Scout
(2009) • Book 4: Psion (2009) • Book 5: Agent (2009) • Book 6: Scoundrel
(2009) • Book 7: Merchant Prince (2010) • Book 8: Dilettante
(2010) • Book 9: Robot (2010) • Book 10: Cosmopolite (2014)
Little Black Books: LBB1: Mercenary (2010) • LBB2: High
Guard (2010) • LBB3: Scout (2010) • LBB4: Psion (2010) •
LBB5: Agent (2010) • LBB6: Scoundrel (2010) • LBB7: Merchant
Prince (2010) • LBB8: Dilettante (2010) • LBB9: Library Data
(2010)
Supplements: Supplement 1: 760 Patrons (2008) •
Supplement 2: Traders & Gunboats (2008) • Supplement 3: Fighting
Ships (2009) • Supplement 4: Central Supply Catalogue (2009) •
Supplement 5: Civilian Vehicles (2009) • Supplement 6: Military
Vehicles (2009) • Supplement 7: 1001 Characters (2010) • Supplement
8: Cybernetics (2011) • Supplement 9: Campaign Guide (2011) •
Supplement 10: Merchants & Cruisers (2011) • Supplement 11: Animal
Encounters (2011) • Supplement 12: Dynasty (2011) • Supplement 5
& 6: The Vehicle Handbook (2012) • Supplement 13: Starport
Encounters (2014) • Supplement 14: Space Stations (2014) •
Supplement 15: Powers & Principalities (2014) • Supplement 16: Adventure
Seeds (2014)
Adventures: Adventure 1: Beltstrike (2008) •
Adventure 2: Prison Planet (2009) • Adventure 3: Trillion Credit
Squadron (2014) • Adventure 4: Into the Unknown (2015)
Third Imperium: Spinward Marches (2008) • Tripwire
(2009) • The Spinward Marches Map Pack (2009) • Crowded Hours
(2010) • Reft Sector (2010) • Reign of Discordia (2010) • Sector
Fleet (2010) • Starports (2011) • Aramis: The Traveller Adventure
(2012) • Deneb Sector (2012) • Sword Worlds (2012) • Project
Steel (2013) • The Gvurrdon Map Pack (2013) • The Trojan Reaches
Map Pack (2014)
Third Imperium – Alien Modules: Alien Module 1: Aslan (2009) •
Alien Module 2: Vargr (2009) • Alien Module 3: Darrians (2010) •
Alien Module 4: Zhodani (2011) • Alien Module 5: Solomani (2012)
• Alien Module 6: Droyne (2012) • Minor Alien Module 1: Luriani (2014)
Traveller 5th Edition (T5) (2013)
Traveller 5 Core Rulebook (2013) • Traveller
5.10 Core Rulebook (2019, slipcase)
Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition Update (2016
– present)
Core Books: Book 1: Traveller Core Rulebook Update
2022 (2022) • Book 2: Central Supply Catalogue Update 2023 (2023) •
Book 3: High Guard Update 2022 (2022) • Book 4: Vehicle Handbook
Update 2025 (2025) • Book 5: Traveller Companion Update 2024
(2024) •
Book 6: Field Catalogue (2022) • Book 7: Specialist Forces (2022)
• Book 8: Robot Handbook (2023) • Book 9: World Builder’s Handbook
(2024) • Book 10: Bounty Hunter (2024) • The Imperial Navy
Accessories: Traveller Referee’s Screen Update 2024 (2024) • Traveller
Utility Pack • This is Free Trader Beowulf: A System History of
Traveller (2024)
Starter Editions: Traveller Explorer’s Edition (2021) • Traveller
Starter Kit (2024) • Traveller Merchant’s Edition (2024)
Box Sets: Element Class Cruisers (2018) • Mercenary Box Set (2022) • Sector Construction Guide
(2023) • The Great Rift Update 2025 (2025)
Charted Space: Book 1: Behind the Claw (2019) • Book 2: Sword
Worlds (2020) • Book 3: Skandersvik (2020) • Book 4: Aliens of
Charted Space 1 (2020) • Book 5: Aliens of Charted Space 2 (2020) •
Book 6: The Glorious Empire (2021) • Book 7: The Solomani Front (2021)
• Book 8: The Third Imperium (2021) • Book 9: Aliens of Charted Space
3 (2022) • Book 10: Mercenaries of Charted Space (2022) • Book 11: Secrets
of the Ancients (2021) • Book 12: The Spinward Extents (2022) • Book
13: Aliens of Charted Space 4 (2023) • Book 14: Order of Prometheus
(2023) • Book 15: The Trailing Frontier (2023) • Book 16: Rim
Expeditions (2023) • Book 17: Mysteries of the Ancients (2023) •
Book 18: Wrath of the Ancients (2023) • Book 19: The Deep and the
Dark (2023) • Book 20: Starship Operator’s Manual (2024) • Book 21: Clans
of the Aslan (2024) • Book 22: Core Expeditions (2025) • Book 23: Ine
Givar (2025)
Campaigns: The Pirates of Drinax (box set) • The
Drinaxian Companion • Shadows of Sindal • Deepnight Revelation
Core Set (box set) • Deepnight Revelation 1: Riftsedge Transit
(2021) •
Deepnight Revelation 2: The Near Side of Yonder (2021) • Deepnight
Revelation 3: The Crossing (2021) • Deepnight Revelation 4: The Far Side
of Nowhere (2021) • Deepnight Revelation 5: Voidshore (2021) • Deepnight
Revelation 6: Expeditions (2021) • Whispers on the Abyss
Supplement: Book 1: Adventure Class Ships (2023)
•
Book 2: Small Craft Catalogue (2023) • Book 3: Traders & Gunboats
(2024)
Fifth Frontier War: Book 1: The Fifth Frontier War
(2024) •
Book 2: Flashpoints (2024) • Book 3: War Fleets of the Fifth
Frontier War (2024) • Book 4: Opening Moves (2024) • Book 5: Riverland
(2024) • Book 6: Ground Forces of the Fifth Frontier War (2024) • Blu
and Embla Do the Fifth Frontier War (2024)
Adventures: Core Adventure 1: Invasive Species •
Core Adventure 2: Last Call at Eneri’s Cantina • Core Adventure 3: Errant
Lightning • Deneb Adventure 1: The Lost Duke • Great Rift Adventure
1: Islands in the Rift • Great Rift Adventure 2: Deepnight Endeavour
• Great Rift Adventure 3: Flatlined • Marches Adventure 1: High &
Dry • Marches Adventure 2: Mission to Mithril • Mercenary Adventure
1: Verloren Hoop • Mercenary Adventure 2: Bug Hunt • Mercenary
Adventure 3: Must Travel, Need Guns • Naval Adventure 1: Shakedown
Cruise • Naval Adventure 2: Showing the Sunburst • Naval Adventure
3: Fire on the Sindalian Main • Naval Adventure 4: Enemy of My Enemy
• Reach Adventure 1: Marooned on Marduk • Reach Adventure 2: Theories
of Everything • Reach Adventure 3: The Calixcuel Incident • Reach
Adventure 4: Last Flight of the Amaur • Reach Adventure 5: The
Borderland Run • Reach Adventure 6: Exodus • Reach Adventure 7: The
Last Train Out of Rakken-Goll • Reach Adventure 8: Makergod •
Solomani Adventure 1: Mysteries on Arcturus Station • Solomani Adventure
2: The Bell of Rocamadour • The Marches Adventures 1-5
Journals of the Travellers’ Aid Society: Volume 1 to Volume
18
Backstory
More than 320,000 years ago, a mighty civilisation arose in
our part of the galaxy. Known only as “the Ancients,” they colonised many
worlds and uplifted many animal species to sapience, and achieved an extremely
high level of genetic and technological sophistication, well beyond Tech Level
25. At their zenith, they were able to move planets in their orbits and also
began (but did not finish) construction of a ringworld around a star.
They discovered Terra (Earth) whilst the modern human
species was only just starting to become the dominant form of life, and took
many groups of humans and some animal stock for study. They transplanted humans
to many other worlds, with an estimated 90 to 100 planets seeded with these
primitive humans over the course of several centuries. Most notable of these
worlds were Vland and Zhdant. The Ancients also took animals of the Canis
family and uplifted them to sentience, creating the Vargr species. They place Vargr
colonies on several worlds, but had the greatest success on Lair.
The Ancient civilisation collapsed in a catastrophic
conflict known as the Final War, which is estimated to have taken place
approximately 290,000 years ago. The Final War may have been a civil war
between Ancient factions, or a conflict between the Ancients and some other
civilisation. Very little is known about the Final War other than it was both
incredibly destructive, with entire planets and star systems devastated, and
incredibly subtle, with some planets surgically struck and eliminated of all opposing
lifeforms whilst the biosphere was kept intact. The destruction of the Final War
was so great that this area of the galaxy effectively went quiet for almost 280,000
years.
In -10,011 IC (10,011 years before the start of the Imperial
Calendar), approximately equal to 5498 BCE by Terran reckoning, the transplanted
humans of the planet Vland, known as the Vilani, began exploring space. In -9235
IC (4721 BCE) they discovered the jump drive, allowing FTL jumps to worlds
within one parsec. The humans of Zhdant, the Zhodani, followed suit, beginning
space exploration in -7980 IC (3467 BCE) and independently discovering the jump
drive in -5415 IC (899 BC).
The Vilani spread across their area of space slowly,
settling numerous worlds and making contact with other worlds independently seeded
with humans by the Ancients. The Vilani initially treated with other worlds peacefully,
sharing technology and science, but to their horror discovered that other
worlds were not as enlightened as they were (by the Vilani’s own standards,
anyway) and used their technology for ill ends, sometimes even attacking the
Vilani sphere of influence. When the Vilani developed Jump-2 drives, doubling
their jump range, giving them a significant strategic and tactical advantage over
the bandit kingdoms, the Vilani initiated the Consolidation Wars. Between -5400
and -4015 IC (884 BCE to 503 CE) the Vilani overwhelmed their neighbours and
forged the Ziru Sirka or “Grand Empire of the Stars,” today called the
First Imperium, although this is retroactive term.
The Grand Empire of the Stars spread across a vast extent of
space, extending across 27 sectors of space with some 3,979 systems and 15,000
worlds under its influence. The golden age of the First Imperium lasted for
some 1,800 years, with its early period marked by huge cultural and scientific
advances. However, the Vilani had a tendency to conservatism and restraint in
scientific matters, and advances became fewer and further between. It was
during this period that the Vilani discovered the extent of the Ancient Empire
and its fall, which may have contributed to its caution.
One intriguing quirk of the Ancients’ decision to uplift and
move humans from Terra to other worlds is that, on those worlds, humans developed
more quickly than they did on Terra itself. This may be down to local climactic
conditions or, being interlopers on those worlds, those humans needed to develop
more quickly and more decisively than on Terra itself, which was more benign for
them.
Still, on Terra major spaceflight experiments began in -2582
IC (1957 CE), with a manned landing on its major satellite twelve years later. Across
the next century or so Terran civilisation expanded rapidly, achieving major
advances in nuclear and fusion technology, renewable energy sources, artificial
intelligence and robotics, as well as limited exploration of other worlds and
satellites in the Sol system with automated probes. In -2431 IC (2088 CE), the
Terrans discovered the jump drive and began galactic exploration. In -2422 IC
(2097 CE), the Terrans made contact with the Grand Empire of the Stars via an
outpost located at Barnard’s Star. To the humans of Terra, the existence of humanoid
“aliens” was a great shock, though to the Empire, which had found dozens of
worlds with isolated human stock on them, this was routine. However, the speed
of Terran technological development and their almost aggressive establishment
of a protectorate of colonised worlds around Terra (the Terran Confederation)
was surprising. Claims that the Terrans had evidence of their species evolving
naturally on Terra over the course of millions of years were generally ignored,
despite some Vilani scientists eventually visiting the planet and finding the
evidence not unsatisfactory.
The relationship between the Vilani and the Terrans was
lopsided, with the Vilani regarding the existence of the Terran Confederation
as almost immaterial whilst the Terrans, confronted by a vast empire of
apparently overwhelming size, population and resources, were desperately
worried. A misunderstanding over a Vilani merchant convoy violating Terran
space saw the start of the Interstellar Wars in -2404 IC (2114 CE). The initial
conflicts saw both sides take heavy losses, but the front was remote from the
centre of Imperial power and local governors were under-resourced. The
remarkably quick acquisition of Jump-2 technology Terra was concerning, but the
Vilani retained the upper hand, at one point besieging and bombarding Terra.
No less than nine interstellar wars were fought between the
Terran Confederation and the Grand Empire of the Stars until the latter final collapsed
in -2215 IC (2303 CE). The Confederation did not fight alone, as many Imperial
dominions and worlds were deeply unhappy with the central authority on Vland
and eagerly joined the “upstarts” as their forces gained momentum through Imperial
space. The capital on Vland was also slow to recognise the threat, only
mobilising its full strength when the entire Vega sector joined the Terrans and
most of the Imperial sector fleets on its southern flank had been destroyed,
disabled, captured or even gone over to the foe. The Interstellar Wars coincided
with first contact between the Vilani and the Vargr, whose space (the Vargr Extents)
was located to the galactic north, separated by the void known as the Windhorn
Rift. The presence of Vargr raiders to the galactic north helped tie down Vilani
forces so they could not be dispatched to the main theatre of war to the south.
In -2204 IC (2316 CE), the “Rule of Man,” was declared the
successor to the Grand Empire. Later called the Second Imperium, this saw the
Terrans – now known as the Solomani – take control of the former territories of
the Vilani empire. However, the corruption and decadence that had plagued the First
Imperium was not alleviated by the Second, despite Terra’s best efforts. By
-1776 IC (2744 CE) the central banking system had effectively collapsed and it
was no longer possible to exert full control over the worlds of humanity (now
called “Humaniti”). This led to the collapse of the Second Imperium, although it
was not formally dissolved until -1526 IC (2992 CE).
This was followed by the Long Night, also called the Interregnum.
During this time there was no central authority controlling all the worlds of
Humaniti, with there being widespread conflict, civil wars and anarchy. Pirate
and bandit kingdoms and worlds flourished, and civilised societies were able to
only retain control of a few star systems apiece. One of the most successful of
these societies was the Sylean Protectorate, which was able to maintain peace
around its area of space from as early as -1900 IC to -905 IC (2620-3615 CE).
The Long Night saw the Sylean Protectorate collapse into the much smaller
Kingdom of Sylea, which endured from -905 IC to -650 IC (3615-3871 CE), before rebounding
into the Sylean Federation. The Federation was able to systematically expand
and gain control over dozens of surrounding worlds and polities, establishing
economic trade and the end of wars and bandit depredations. More worlds flocked
to join the Federation as it achieved great success, ending the lengthy
barbarism of the Long Night.
This time period also saw first contact between the Vilani
and the Aslan, which took place in -1861 (2659 CE). The lion-like Aslan had settled
a formidable area of territory to the galactic south-west of human space. After
initial cordial relations, the expansion of both species into the same region
of the galaxy inevitably resulted in conflict. The lack of a central empire
controlling both species fortunately saw the conflicts restrained to border
skirmishes, known as the Aslan Border Wars (-1118 IC to 380 IC, 3402-4901 CE)
which, despite the length of the conflict, did not expand into a full-scale campaign.
The Peace of Ftahalr ended the skirmishes by creating a 30-parsec-wide buffer
zone between the two species.
In 4521 CE, the Sylean Federation was dissolved and declared
to become the Third Imperium, with its centre on Old Sylea, now called Capital.
This became Year 0 of the Imperial Calendar.
The Third Imperium has expanded to incorporate much of the
old territory of both the First and Second, and more as well. In 1002 IC (5524
CE), the Third Imperium defeated the Solomani Confederation and occupied Terra
itself. However, the Third Imperium has also faced obstacles. The Aslan to the
galactic south-west and Vargr to the galactic north have cordial relations, but
the potential for conflict is there. The more alien Hivers to the galactic east
are seen as a distant, but potential, adversary.
The most potent foe of the Imperium is the Zhodani
Consulate. The Zhodani are the third major branch of Humaniti, having
established a significant but slow-to-expand galactic power to the galactic
north-west of the Imperium. The Zhodani are the most “alien” branch of Humaniti,
possessing psi-powers that have been outlawed in the Imperium and are poorly
understood. The Zhodani and Imperium have fought four frontier wars in the area
known as the Spinward Marches, where a salient of Imperial space borders the
Zhodani and several independent powers, with the Aslan not that far away
either.
The traditional “starting year” for Traveller campaigns is 1105 Imperial Calendar, 5627 CE by our standards. The various editions of the game have carried events beyond this, incorporating a Fifth Frontier War, and a partial collapse of the Imperium.
Setting
See Traveller Map and Traveller Wiki. Also see Seth Skorkowsky's peerless YouTube explanation for Traveller rules and reviews of Traveller adventure modules.
Originally Traveller had no official or default
setting (like early D&D), with Referees encouraged to create their
own space opera universe but, drawing on their older board game Imperium
for inspiration, GDW established an official, optional setting for the game. This is Charted
Space, a region of the galaxy some 512 parsecs (1,669 light years) “wide” and
320 parsecs (1,043 light years) “tall.” Of course, the rest of the galaxy, some
30,660 parsecs wide, extends far beyond that, with occasional, isolated colonies
to be found, and some evidence of other major species and powers located in
remote areas of space.
Charted Space contains multiple species, tens of thousands
of settled worlds and millions of stars, though the majority are red dwarf
stars not of particular interest. Habitable worlds or worlds suitable for
terraforming are much rarer. Worlds are rated on a tech level extending from TL0
– equal to Terra’s Neolithic time period – to TL15, the level of the most
advanced worlds in the Third Imperium with access to advanced weapons, genetic
engineering, age-retarding drugs and sophisticated robots and computer systems.
Higher levels have been postulated, with moving planets possible at TL24,
building ringworlds at TL25 and Dyson Spheres at TL29. At TL31 the creation of
pocket dimensions may be possible. The Ancients are believed to have been in
excess of TL25 at the time of their disappearance/destruction in the Last War.
Interstellar travel is accomplished by the Jump Drive, which
allows ships to transit from one star system to another with rapidity. The
standard and cheapest Jump Drive allows ships to jump one parsec (3.26 light years)
in a week, with the most powerful and expensive allowing a ship to jump six
parsecs (19.57 light years) in the same time period. Interstellar commerce,
diplomacy and military activity is reliant on the operation of Jump technology.
Although FTL travel is possible, FTL communications are not; information has to
be physically carried on ships and propagates through couriers.
The major sophonts (sentient species) of Charted Space are
as follows:
Aslan
The Aslan originate on Kusyu in the Dark Nebula Sector. They
are a bipedal species loosely resembling Terran lions. They are (mostly) loyal,
honourable and divided into clans. The Aslan have multiple polities, the
largest and most powerful of which is the Aslan Hierate. Smaller Aslan colony-states
abut the Third Imperium in the Trojan Reach Sector.
Droyne
The Droyne originate on Eskayloyt (location unknown). They
are a race of hexapodal flyers with psi abilities and advanced technology. The Droyne
disdain large-scale organisation and have no empire or large polity, just
individual colony worlds and living alongside other species across a vast area
of space, centred on the Spinward Marches. The Droyne history extends back
almost 75,000 years, more than any other species. A widespread theory, based on
extant Ancient ruins and the presumed physiology of the creatures that built
them, is that the Droyne are related to the Ancients, though the Droyne
themselves do not seem to know if this is true or possible.
Hivers
The Hivers originate on Guaran (Ricenden Sector) to the galactic
south-east of the Imperium. They are a non-humanoid species and possess a six-fold
radial symmetry. They are the most “alien” species in Charted Space. They are
altruistic and avoid war and conflict where possible, though will defend
themselves and their area of control, the large Hive Federation. The Hivers
operate through sophisticated covert manipulation.
K’kree
The K’kree originate on Kirur (Ruupiin Sector) and resemble
the mythological Terran species known as centaurs. They are militant and
aggressive herbivores, and have a serious dislike of meat-eating species. Their
empire, the Two Thousand Worlds, is located to the galactic east of the
Imperium, with a number of buffer client states between.
Vargr
The Vargr of Lair (Provence Sector) are a bipedal canine-like
species who control the Vargr Extents, a vast area to the galactic north of the
Imperium, made up of a bewildering number and variety of sub-polities. The Vargr
are broadly friendly towards Humaniti (though plenty of exceptions and
state-level suspicions abound), and they are one of the more common non-human
races found in human space and as crew on human ships. It is widely postulated
that the Vargr are descended from Terran canine stock transplanted to the
Vilani
The Vilani of Vland (Vland Sector) are the dominant and most
numerous sub-species of Humaniti. Originating on the planet Vland (after
transplantation from Terra by the Ancients), they founded and ruled the First Imperium
before being defeated by the Solomani. They remained the most numerous species
of Humaniti through the Second Imperium, Long Night and Third Imperium. They
are physically indistinguishable from Solomani but have a different
psychological outlook, with more of an ability to see the long-term, big
picture. They tend to be more cautious than Solomani, except in times of great
need.
Solomani
The Solomani of Terra (Sol Sector) are the descendants of
the humans of Terra (Earth). They claim to be the ancestral origin point of all
humans (a claim taken with varying degrees of seriousness) and the “original”
humans, despite the Vilani predating them into space by thousands of years. The
Solomani are physically indistinguishable to Vilani, but are hotter-tempered,
quicker to act (even if against their long-term interest) and faster to develop
technology. Solomani descendants can be found across the Third Imperium and the
Solomani Confederation to its galactic south, the second-largest human polity
outside the Imperium. The Third Imperium conquered Terra in a major border war a
century ago, and the Solomani Confederation hungers to reclaim it.
Zhodani
The Zhodani of Zhdant (Zhodane Sector) are a human subspecies
transplanted to their planet by the Ancients. They have developed significant
psi-powers, which the other human polities have either outlawed or monitor aggressively.
The Zhodani polity, the Zhodane Consulate, is the largest non-Imperial power and
is located to the galactic north-west of the Imperium. The two powers share a
disputed border in the Spinward Marches sector and have fought four significant
frontier wars in the region. The Zhodani are, arguably, the most peaceful,
harmonious and stable sub-species of Humaniti, having had a stable polity in
the time that multiple Vilani and Solomani powers have risen and fallen. Their
critics claim this is because individuality and competition are bred out of the
species, a claim the Zhodani regard as xenophobic. The Zhodani are currently
engaged in a long-term exploration of the Galactic Core, having established a
line of waystations extending about 80% of the way to the edge of the Core and
with multiple scientific and exploration teams currently investigating the
Yejiariebr Sector (6,939 parsecs, or 22,631 light years, from Charted Space).
The Zhodani have not been forthcoming on why they have undertaken this
ambitious endeavour, or what they have discovered.
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