VARGR characters for TNE

Date:         Tue, 07 Mar 95 20:45:57 EST
From: "David A. Nelson" <34TYHPE@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject: VARGR characters for TNE

  This is a list of guidelines for creating Vargr characters for TNE. It is
extremely rough, and could use some fleshing out, especially in the area of
new careers (if they are needed).

ATTRIBUTES        STR  AGL  CON  INT  EDU  CHR  PSI  SOC
Common Vargr       -1   +2   -1    0    0    0    0    -
Urzaeng Vargr      +2   -1   +2   -1    0    0    0    _

BACKGROUND SKILLS: As for human characters
DEFAULT SKILLS: As for human characters

Listed next are the Vargr careers and their TNE equivilents. Some careers can
have more than one equivilent.

ADMINISTRATOR: Bureaucrat
ARISTOCRAT: Use the Wealthy Traveller career. CHR 8+ required.
BARBARIAN: Barbarian (of course)
BELTER: Belter
CORSAIR: This one is tricky. The Vargr Alien Module seems to indicate that
this career is similar to the Marines, while Vilani and Vargr seems to have it
be much like the Corsair career listed in the TNE rulebook. These guidelines
suggest using the Corsair career.
DOCTOR: Medicine
EMISSARY: Diplomat
EXPLORER: Scout
HUNTER: Hunter
LAW ENFORCER: Law Enforcer
LEADER: Manager
LONER: Use Bounty Hunter, Criminal, Mercenary or Tough as appropriate
MERCHANT: Trader
MILITIA: Army
NAVY: Navy
RAIDER: Use the Marines career, possibly with Special Forces
ROGUE: Criminal
SCIENTIST: Scientist

AGING: As for humans

VARGR CHARISMA AND LEADERSHIP: A Vargr's Charisma score (and hence his
Leadership asset) can change rapidly based on the character's social
position. Whenever a character gets a noteable success, a Difficult CHR
check allows the Vargr and increase of +1 to his Charisma stat relative to
other Vargr. His stat for humans remains the same. A significant failure will
reduce the Vargr's charisma by one unless he can succeed at an Average
Charisma check. A Vargr will respond to humans of Charisma A+ much as he would
to a strongly charismatic member of his own race. The Leadership asset is used
to determine who a Vargr will follow. The character with the highest Leadership
asset in a Vargr group will be the leader unless and until someone else
surpasses him.

SKILL BONUSES: Vargr get a -1 difficulty level on all Observation tasks
involving smell and hearing.

As you can see, it's pretty rough. I had trouble figuring out how to handle
Charisma changes during character creation. (Some kind of success roll for
each term, or possibly tied to promotions?) Any help with this would be
appreciated.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Mar 1995 09:04:08 +0200
From: roger.myhre@niva.no

I have made a HIWG document for generating Vargr character for TNE. I 
think I posted it a few months ago. It is also available at sunbane as 
142_14.txt. And for those who are interested I'll post it again.

Doc 142.14,  Date: January 15, 1994

                             BUILDING THE PERFECT DOG

                                       by

                                   Roger Myhre


This document has been an article on KU #4. Since then I have changed the rules 
a bit, and modified the careers. This document will be upgraded as new special 
careers pop up.

As the Traveller: The New Era (TNE) do not include Vargr character generation I 
will present some rules here that I think will be of use. Note that GDW may have
other plans for Vargr character generating. As the Vargr is quite close to 
humans (not counting looks, ancestry and behaviour) their skill will be quite 
like. And I won't introduce any new skills.


THE STATS

Vargr got the same stats as humans, with one exception. Vargr do not have Social
status, but their Charisma rating is the measure to find where they stand in the
Vargr society. A Vargr with high Charisma will attract other Vargr for 
followers. So put a '-' in the Soc box on the character sheet. The stats are 
rolled as following. STR 2D2-2, AGL 2D6, CON 2D-2, INT 2D6-1, EDU 2D-1, CHA 1D6.

If the total stats are less than 33, the player can add the difference to the 
character stats, with these exceptions: CHA cannot be increased to more than 3. 
Any other stat cannot be increased beyond 11. The 33 limit is lower than the 
limit in the rulebook of 36. The reason for this is that the Vargr is generaly 
weaker than an average human.

When calculating the weight of a Vargr use the same formula as for humans, but 
the base weight is 70Kg. Making generally Vargr smaller than Humans. The base 
weight is the same for males as for females. For hand combat damage factor is 
the same as for humans, but add 1D6 damage each time the Vargr elects to use his
or hers claws. For using the claws the skill is as for unarmed combat, Unarmed 
Melee skill which all Vargr characters start with at level 0, Leadership is also
a skill they start with at 0.


SELECTING CAREERS

The Vargr can use all the careers in the book except for "Hiver Technical 
Academy". There are some consideration to Vargr when they are generated. Firstly
their Charisma rating is a measurement of how successful a given Vargr is. The 
Charisma rating may go up and down during generation.For CHA beyond A the cost 
is doubled. Thus it cost is 2 points from A to B. But loss of one point in CHA 
brings you automatically from B to A. In some careers there is possible to make 
a big enough mistake that you are thrown out. This is true to all military 
careers. This does not however stop the character generation, the character just
has to enter a new career, but not a military one, if he or she makes the 
continuity roll. Even if you are thrown out from a career, you always finish the
term before you enter a new one.

CHA is increased/decreased like this:
   +1 If promotion is made.
   +1 if 12+ is rolled. Cumulative with above modifier. 
      And promoted an additional rank.
   -1 if the promotion roll is missed by 4 or more
   -2 and demoted if the roll is natural 2 regardles of DM's. Not cumulative
      with above modifier. Holds true for both special duty and promotion rolls.
   If a natural 2 is rolled twice in a given military career the character is
      thrown out at the end of the term.

If your character is from Society of Equals in Gvurrdon, he or she must make a 
special roll to be rated equal. This is essential to enter the following 

careers: Any military officer, Diplomat, Lawenforces or Aristocrat.

   Difficult, Willpower

This task is rolled before the character generation is started. If the roll is a
catastrophic failure roll 1D6 and divide the result on the STR, AGL and CON 
stat. Reduce the stats accordingly. This is damage taken from the test. 

Example: A player rolls 4 on the die, when he has failed. Thus the stats has to 
be reduced with one each. For the remaining point the player may choose which 
stat to reduce.


CAREERS:

**Oruelaen**
Psionic forces of Thirz Empire in Gvurrdon. Thirz empire has a special force of 
psionic agents. They are not secret agents as portraied in movies, but rather a 
information gathering group for the King in Thirz Empire. Not much are actually 
known about them publicly, so a lot of myths has been spun around them. All 
sophonts that are citizens of Thirz Empire may apply. They will be tested for 
potentiality before they are admitted. For ranks use Army table in the rulebook.
All who are admitted start with rank E5 Sergeant. Rank O10 General is not 
available for playing characters when King Thir holds this position. As the 
force is small and there is only possible to get promoted when a operative dies 
or quits, the agents start at Enlisted rank, no matter what kind of academies or
careers they have attended before. Those who are admitted get a Cha+1

PREREQUESITES: PSI strenght of 8+, and at least one of these abilities: 
               telepathy, Teleperception or any useful arcana.
               Citizen of Thirz Empire.

FIRST TERM:

COMMISSION:    10+, +1 if CHA 6+

SKILLS:        Psionics-2, Determination-2, Gun Combat-1,
               Perception-1

SUBSEQUENT TERMS: 

COMMISSION:    8+, +1 If CHA 6+. The character becomes an Officer.
               Rank O1.

SKILLS:

ELISTED:       Psionics, Determination, Unarmed Melee, Gun Combat,
               Perception

OFFICERS:      Psionics, Determination, Space vessel, Gun combat, 
               Unarmed Melee, Perception

ALL TERMS:

SPECIAL DUTY:  Spacehand, Crime, Social Science, Vehicle, Tactics, 
               Interaction.

PROMOTION:     8+, +1 If CHA 6+, +1 if INT 8+

CONTACTS:      Military, Government (Officers only), Intelligence, Academic. 
               Roll 10+ on 2D6 for the contact to be from outside the Thirz 
               Empire.

OTHER EFFECTS: +1 per term as officer for scout/courier ship. Money is 
               calculated from CHA stat not Intelligence. Use Advanced 
               stellar as base when calculating money. Initiative is 
               rolled 1D6


**Aristocrat**

As an aristocrat you know how the interstellar governments in the extents is 
working. And if you are lucky and use your skills properly, you might be able 

to carve out a place for your own.

PREREQUESITES: CHA 8+ or Population of 6 or more. Must not have been thrown 
               out of a military career.

FIRST TERM:

SKILLS:        Charm-2, Interaction-3, Social Science-2, CHA+1

SUBSEQUENT TERMS:

SKILLS:        Charm, Interaction, Fine Arts, Determination, Economics, 
               May trade in skill levels for CHA increase.

ALL TERMS:

SPC ADVENTURE: 7+. Spacevessel, Perception, Unarmed Martial Arts, Vice,
               Crime

CONTACTS:      Government, Military, Intelligence

OTHER EFFECTS: +1DM per term for yacht. Whenever the CHA stat is reduced 
               below 8 the character may not continue this career. Note that 
               CHA may not get above 15 or F.


**Fair Witness**

This career are only open to citizens of Thoengling Empire in Gvurrdon
Sector. A Fair Witness (FW) is a profession where a Vargr, or some other sophont
has gone through a training, giving total recall. FW is pledged to report 
whatever it observed when on duty. Most FW is working free-lance, but need a 
permit to do so. There is almost impossible to bribe a FW to tell something 
else, that the FW did observe. The reason for this is that the job itself gives 
quite good economical freedom, and Charismatic standing among the Vargr. A FW 
will never offer an oppinion, nor a theory when on duty. Or  speak his or her 
meaning when recalling something they observed while on duty. Thus if asked why 
a person acted has he did, the FW cannot answer this, but only tell what the 
person did. The FW will recall what he saw, heard, smelled, felt and so on. A FW
may be hired by anyone, but as they get better, their fee increase accordingly. 
FW are often used when deals are been made, or when there is need for a 
independent witness in a certain process.

When an obervation is going to be made, let the PC roll an imprint task, using 
observation as asset. Base difficulty should be difficult, adjusted depending on
the situation. When the given situation is to be recalled later, a new task is 
rolled. The difficulty on this task depends on the success level on the prior 
task.

Asset: Observation
Imprint Success Level    Recall Difficulty
-----------------------------------------------
Outstanding Success      Routine  
Success                  Difficult
Failure                  Formidable
Outstanding Failure      Impossible

More than 1 year ago   +1 level of difficulty


Recall Success Level   How much was recalled?
---------------------------------------------
Outstanding Success    100%
Success                 75%
Failure                 50%
Outstanding Failure      0%

For more information on Fair Witness, read "Stranger in a strange land" by 
Robert A. Heinlein, a must read for a SF fan.

PREREQUESITES: INT 9+, Citizen of Thoengling Empire, No criminal career
               prior to this.

FIRST TERM:    CHA+1, INT+1, EDU+1, Observation-2, Interaction-2, Willpower-1,
               Vice-1

SUBSEQUENT TERMS:

SKILLS:        Social Science, Perception, Interaction, Charm, Fine Arts,
               Skill levels may be traded for CHA

ALL TERMS:

SPC ADVENTURE: 9+, Cha+1, Crime, Determination, Gun Combat, Vice, Economics,
               Physical Science, Melee

CONTACTS:      One contact per term from either: Goverment, Legal,
               Business

OTHER EFFECTS: Roll 1D6/2 for initiative. Calculate money from either CHA or
               Observation asset, wich-ever is the highest. 


VARGR VERSUS OTHER SOPHONT INTERACTION

First time a non Vargr character is interacting with Vargr NPC's or other Vargr 
characters, divide that characters CHA with 2, and drop fractions. The result 
may not be below 1. Note however that this will reduce all assets EXCEPT 
language skills. For the character to increase his or hers CHA to normal level 
follow the general CHA increase and decrease rules below. The opposit is also 
true when a Vargr are going to interact with humans for the first time. Note 
that both of these cases relates to Humans in a Vargr dominated society, or 
Vargr in a Human dominated society.


CHARISMA INCREASES AND DECREASES

When a session is over there should be checked if the leader of the group, the 
character with the highest CHA, will increase his charisma. The difficulty level
is up to the referee. But I will give a few pointers.

Asset: Leadership.

  The session was an outstanding success    Average
  The group met its goals in the session    Difficult
  The group barely made the goals           Formidable
  The group made only a few of its goals    Impossible

If any of these tasks are a catastrophic failure the leader loose 1 point of 
Charisma. If the leader has CHA of A or more increase the difficulty with one 
level.

The difficulty levels should be modified with how difficult the adventure was. 
If the adventure was an total failure, the character must roll a formidable task
to prevent Charisma decrease. If that roll is a catastrophic failure, the leader
loose 2 points of Charisma.

The leader may also by commendate or reprimand the others in the group, and thus
increase or decrease the CHA of these characters. The leader may only commendate
a character if he himself got a CHA increase, but he may reprimand a character 
whenever he wish. But reprimand a character without reason will have 
counterproductive results, and the referee should penalize this.

One good roleplaying tip is that the referee places the players in clockwise 
fashion, with the highest CHA rated character to the left of him. Whenever there
is an important decission to be made, ask the leader first. Ignore the others 
for a while. If the leader is hesitating, this can mean a loss in Charisma 
specialy if other players start to come with solutions. This is to simulate that
the other Vargr always look to their leader. If the leader fails the others may 
take command. The referee should be a bit careful with this approach though. The
player may not be good at roleplaying in this fashion, so the referee should 
give him more time than a player that got good abilities at this type of 
roleplaying.

Whenever 2 players got equal or a difference of one level in Charisma a 
Charismatic struggle erupts. The leader must then roll a difficult leadership 
roll to stay in position. If the roll fails, the two players change position. If
a catastrophic failure is rolled, the leader loose 2 CHA points.

The referee may also increase or decrease the CHA of characters during play, to 
give them a feel of how successful they are. However this should be used 
sparingly. If a player shows some initiative, and do something daring and 
succeeds he should be awarded. In doubt let him roll a difficult task. Equally 
he should loose Charisma if he does something and fails, especially if he 
endangers the mission and the adventure group.

Other uses of Charisma is that a high Charisma Vargr will always reduce the 
Initiative  to the opposition by one to a minimum of one, if they are of lower 
Charisma. If the Charisma to the leaders of the two groups are equal, let the 
player roll a difficult leadership to gain the upper hand. If this fails the 
opponent get the upper hand. When calculating loss of initiative to combat 
damage use the original initiative.

Remember these rules is only valid in a Vargr society. A human will have a hard 
time to prove herself, but when she gets the wheels turning, there might not be 
anything stopping her. Note that If the non Vargr character increases her 
Charisma above her original level it is returned to normal when interacting with
other non vargr characters or NPCs.


BRIBING VARGR

This may sound easy, but many has fallen into the trap, believing the Vargr 
nature is working for them. What they do forget is that do not oppose to the 
Charisma of the clerk in front of them, but the Charisma of his superior officer
or leader.

An example is maybe in order. Lets say an Vargr journalist is working on a 
special report, and need graded information from the police. Offering money for 
bribery is pointless. As for most human societies social status is measured by 
the wealth you got. This is not the case with Vargr. To a Vargr you have to 
offer increase in Charisma. Money is something that comes along. Money is not as
important for a Vargr as for most human cultures. Money is a tool nothing more 
nothing less. However money should be offered in the bribe, but the amount never
is large. Its just a small contribute for the service rendered. So the 
journalist must actually make up a case were he can prove that the police 
officer will increase in Charisma if the journalist is successfull in his 
investigation. Remember that Vargr are pack animals opposed to humans which are 
more invidiualistic. A Vargr will always view a certain action in the light of 
what the group will gain by that given action. Each individual Vargr always try 
to improve their status within a group. This sound contradictory, but viewed 
from the human point it is, but for the Vargr it makes sense. If the indiviual 
Vargr feels that he or she will gain Charisma to belong to that group it will be
loyal to it, and do whatever is in her power to increase the group Charisma. 
Going back to this journalist, he must convince the police officer that the 
whole department will gain by giving the information he needs. In most cases a 
person trying to bribe a Vargr only have to go up against the closest leader to 
the Vargr trying to be bribed.

The difficulty is such a bribery attempt is rarely easier than Difficult. If the
group leader of the opposition are of lower Charisma it might be easier. The 
difficulty level should also be adjusted to how the bribing player is arguing, 
and how he or she present the deal.

There is also possible to buy information on the street by Vargr. In these cases
money have more to say, when this kind of information is bought from Vargr that 
never are attached to a group over long period of time, and thus do not have the
neccessary group loyalty, except for its own day to day survival.


+Roger Myhre, 1993/1994