Rocking the Cradle (CT AAR)
Thoughts
Classic Traveller continues to amaze me with how well it lines up with my sensibilities as a GM. I've never had a system that was so easy to prep and play before.
CT's combat system is also very sharp. The often overlooked rules for blows and parrying reducing your current Endurance then hitting exhaustion makes combat feel even more frenetic. It also makes gun combat feel different than melee combat. There is a physical toll to fighting hand to hand that shooting someone doesn't have. Combined with the different bonuses and penalties to hit at different ranges and weapons start to have really established niches.
Anyone running CT for the first time understand that PCs do not get the penalties for being untrained in a weapon. They all get a half level which means they do not get the -5 DM to hit nor do enemies get a +3 when attacking them.
Session
Hyle's Cradle B303541-B
Hyle's Cradle shines as a drop of rain on a plane of glass in a system filled with barren rocks and debris. Near is the largest city, nestled against the starport. Far is a small offshoot perched on s a shelf of ice. The Hyle Collective has attracted a wide range of creators due to their lax laws on research. Many high end electronics and narcotics are made here.
- Jacob Schmidt played by Valibuk
- Glame played by Zaro
The Cradle sees a lot of different types of folks come and go. The Crew was waiting around for a patron and a Merc Ship, the River Fish just came back from a raid on some of the Serf Worlds. One of the men-at-arms asked the crew to cover him as he recovered something sensitive from a computer in one of the night clubs. He stressed he didn't want violence or to hurt anyone. For 20kcr the crew accepted.
They got suits fitted and bought some knock-off steroids. They met their patron Philip Woods and made their way through the starport and the sealed city of Near to the club. The Worm's Apple is a seedier club than most but the crew play few hands of poker to fit in. Luck favors Jacob and then turns away from him, but as they gamble Philip slinks away to get the item. He comes out of the back and they make it to the door before security tries to stop them. They push into the crowded hallway filled with gamblers, criers, and other patrons of the various casinos on this level of the habitat city.
BANG! A security guard fires a shot and a crowd crush begins. Philip disappears under the foot of the crowd but Glame pulls him to his feet. The guards reach up to them and pummel Glame. Jacob stabs one in the underarm and he falls unconscious. After a a vicious haymaker to the face, Glame uses his broadsword to cleave the head off of the remaining security guard.
They make a break for the elevator. Halfway down it stops. Glame pulls out the wires and restarts it. A few moments later two thuds hit the roof and some casino thugs cry out in pain as their legs snap. Their rope wasn't long enough to account for the elevator having moved!
The crew and their patron rush through the remainder of the station to the starport and the safety of the River Fish where the mercs offer a mercenary ticket to the players...