Difference between revisions of "Setting"

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Each of the versions of traveller had one official setting, and others which were developed (ususally by different publishers) to a lesser degree. The designers set aside one [[Far Frontier Sector|sector]] for no official development, so that referee's could do what they wanted knowing that no future ''Official'' published product would contradict what they had developed.
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<translate>
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==Settings==
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<!--T:1-->
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===Classic Traveller===
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{{Policies}}
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*[[Spinward Marches]] ([[GDW]])
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[[Setting]]: Each of the versions of '''Traveller''' had one official Setting, and others which were developed (usually by different publishers) to a lesser degree.  
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:The spinward marches is a frontier with the [[Zhodani]] Consulate, and site of the [[frontier wars]]. Close to the [[Vargr]] with some independent factions [[Darrian]], [[Sword Worlds]] and unexplored space. This setting allowed for many different types of adventures.
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* The designers set aside one [[sector]] ([[Foreven Sector]]) for no official development so that referees could do what they wanted, knowing that no future ''Official'' published product would later contradict what they had developed.
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*[[Solomani Rim]] ([[GDW]])
 
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:More developed region of space.
 
  
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===MegaTraveller===
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== Description == <!--T:2-->
 +
[[Traveller]] began its 1977 existence as a universal game system with high ambitions to recreate any classic science fiction [[setting]] or [[theme]]. Traveller was intended to empower referee-gamemasters to create what is now called [[ATU]]'s or [[IMTU]]'s. Traveller's first official setting, what is now called the [[OTU]], started very modestly and grew gradually into the rich, highly detailed background that it is today.
  
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Late in it's existance MT introduced the Diaspora Sector, a part of Imperial Space that lies between all of the major combattants of the MT civil war. Diaspora was introduced in the HardTimes sourcebook that described the general state of the Empire and gave rules to simulate the 11 years of war between 1117 and the then current setting of 1128. It also described Promise and the surrounding worlds in detail.
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=== Game Eras & Editions (1977-2019) === <!--T:3-->
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="9"|Traveller Game Eras & Editions (1977-2017)
 +
|-
 +
! Setting Dates
 +
! Era Name (Milieu)
 +
! Primary Setting Events
 +
! Associated Game/s
 +
! Pub. Date
 +
|-
 +
| ([[-2404]] to [[-2203]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Interstellar Wars|Interstellar Wars]]
 +
| [[First Imperium]] ([[Ziru Sirka]]) & [[Interstellar Wars]]
 +
| [[GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars]]
 +
| 2006
 +
|-
 +
| ([[-2204]] to [[-1776]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Rule of Man|Rule of Man]]
 +
| Collapse of [[First Imperium]] & [[Rule of Man]] ([[Second Imperium]])
 +
| [[GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars]]
 +
| 2006
 +
|-
 +
| ([[-1775]] to [[0]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Long Night|Long Night]]
 +
| Collapse of [[Second Imperium]] & [[Long Night]]
 +
| [[Marc Miller's Traveller]]
 +
| 1996
 +
|-
 +
| ([[-25]] to [[75]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Milieu 0|Milieu 0]]
 +
| [[Sylean Federation]] & Dawn of the [[Third Imperium]] 
 +
| [[Marc Miller's Traveller]]
 +
| 1996
 +
|-
 +
| ([[985]] to [[1002]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Milieu 990|Milieu 990]]
 +
| [[Third Imperium]] & [[Solomani Rim War]] 
 +
| [[Traveller D20]]
 +
| 2002
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1100]] to [[1117]])
 +
| [[Milieu 1105]] <br> [[:Category: Era: Milieu 1116|Milieu 1116]]
 +
| '''[[Third Imperium]]: Base (Original) Setting''' <br>· The [[Fifth Frontier War]] <br>· An Uncertain Future
 +
| [[Classic Traveller]], [[Mongoose Traveller]], [[Mongoose 2nd]]
 +
| 1977, 2008, 2017
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1116]] to [[1130]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Milieu 1120|Milieu 1120]]
 +
| [[GURPS Traveller]]: Alternate Setting (Timeline with no [[Rebellion]])
 +
| [[GURPS Traveller]] 
 +
| 1998
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1117]] to [[1130]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Rebellion|Rebellion]]
 +
| Collapse of [[Third Imperium]] ([[Rebellion]]) & [[Regency]]
 +
| [[MegaTraveller]]
 +
| 1986
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1190]] to [[1220]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: New Era|New Era]]
 +
| [[Reformation Coalition]] & [[Virus/New Era]]
 +
| [[Traveller: The New Era]]
 +
| 1992
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1221]] to [[1300]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Fourth Imperium|Fourth Imperium]]
 +
| [[Fourth Imperium]]
 +
| [[Traveller: The New Era]]
 +
| 1992
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1221]] to [[1300]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Milieu 1248|Milieu 1248]]
 +
| [[Fourth Imperium]] 
 +
| [[Traveller: The New Era]]
 +
| 2006
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1301 to 1500]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: Collapse|Collapse]]
 +
| [[Collapse and Interregnum]]
 +
| [[Traveller 5th]]
 +
| 2020 (Future)
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1780 to 1840]])
 +
| [[:Category: Era: False Spring|False Spring]]
 +
| The [[False Spring]]
 +
| [[Traveller 5th]]
 +
| 2020 (Future)
 +
|-
 +
| ([[1900]]+)
 +
| [[:Category: Era: The Galaxiad|Galaxiad]]
 +
| The [[Galaxiad]] 
 +
| [[Traveller 5th]]
 +
| 2020 (Future)
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
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===[[Traveller: The New Era]]===
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=== Game Settings (1977-2020) === <!--T:4-->
 +
; [[Classic Traveller]]
 +
: Published 1977 had the developed the first elements of the [[Third Imperium]]. Primary setting areas are
 +
:* [[The Spinward Marches]], [[The Spinward Marches Campaign]], [[The Traveller Adventure]]. The [[Spinward Marches Sector]] is a frontier region bordering the [[Zhodani Consulate]], and site of the [[Frontier Wars]]. It also borders the [[Vargr|Vargr Extents]] as well as some independent factions such as [[Darrian]] Confederation, [[Sword Worlds]] and unexplored space.
 +
:* [[The Solomani Rim]]. The [[Solomani Rim Sector]] was a more developed region of space where the world of [[Terra]] is placed.
 +
; [[MegaTraveller]]
 +
: Published in 1986, the setting was the [[Rebellion]]. The published materials covered the Spinward Marches, largely untouched by the War, but described in broad detail the events of the War.
 +
:* [[Hard Times]] sourcebook introduced the Diaspora describing the general state of the [[Empire]] and gave rules to simulate the 11 years of War after [[1117]].
 +
; [[Traveller: The New Era]]
 +
: Published in 1992, the setting was the [[New Era]], Starting with the [[Survival Margin]] sourcebook and the fall of the Third Imperium and a century of slow recovery.
 +
:* [[Reformation Coalition]] a growing empire in the Old Expanses sector
 +
:* [[The Regency Sourcebook]], details the [[Regency of Deneb]] located in the Spinward Marches sector.
 +
; [[Marc Miller's Traveller]]
 +
: Published in 1996, it establishes [[Milieu 0]] where the [[Core Sector]] is used as its setting. Set around the time of the founding of the [[Third Imperium]] ([[0]] to [[200]]), the setting focused on the [[Sylean Federation]] and its attempts to conquer or absorb the worlds around it. Given the depths of the [[Long Night]], the setting included the classic [[wikipedia:4X|4X]] (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) gaming style in an RPG.
 +
; [[GURPS Traveller]] 
 +
: Published in 1998 and set in an "alternate" [[Traveller Universe]] in which [[Strephon|Emperor Strephon]] was ''not'' assassinated, thus the [[Rebellion]] and subsequent [[Final War]] never happened. GURPS Traveller added a lot of material to the classic [[sectors]] of the [[Traveller Universe]] while advancing the [[timeline]] about 15-20 years from the [[Classic Traveller]] set.
 +
:* [[GURPS Traveller: Behind the Claw]] covers the [[Spinward Marches Sector|Spinward Marches]] where the {Imperium}, [[Zhodani]], [[Vargr]] and more alien races interact.
 +
:* [[GURPS Traveller: Rim of Fire]] covers the [[Solomani Rim Sector|Solomani Rim]] and its war-torn past.
 +
:* [[GURPS Traveller: Sword Worlds]] covers the [[Sword Worlds Confederation]] and its history.
 +
;  [[T20|Traveller D20]]
 +
: Published in 2002, it introduced the [[Domain of Gateway|Gateway Domain]], one of the backyards of the [[Empire]]. A mix between {Imperial} worlds and various [[client state]]s this is closer in basic feeling to the [[Spinward Marches Sector|Spinward Marches]] while lacking the "big guys and old grudges" that are a common theme there. Set in the [[900s]] (about 150 years before [[Classic Traveller]]) it has a lower [[technology level]].
 +
; [[GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars]]
 +
: Published in 2006, the setting covers the 200 years of war, peace, and overwhelming change as the ancient [[Vilani Imperium]] falls to the upstart [[Solomani|Terrans]]. In this time of conflict, the opportunities for adventure are more exciting than ever before! Forge new trade routes within the {Imperium} itself. Defend the homeworld from invaders during the [[Siege of Terra]]. Make the first contact with alien races. Help guide the [[Terran Confederation]] in its expansion from a single planet to a [[sector]]-spanning [[empire]].
 +
; [[Traveller Hero]]
 +
: Published in 2007 it never included a milieu of its own but instead covers several previous milieus including [[Milieu 0]], [[T20|milieu 1000]], [[Classic Traveller|milieu 1116]], [[MegaTraveller|the Rebellion]] and [[The New Era]].
 +
; [[Mongoose Traveller]] 1st edition
 +
: Published in 2008, Mongoose returns to the "Classic" era and location, i.e., 1105 and the [[Spinward Marches Sector|Spinward Marches]]. Although the Basic Rule Book has a little setting background, the first supplement released was [[Mongoose Traveller: Spinward Marches|The Spinward Marches]], and published extensive campaigns in the [[Trojan Reaches Sector]] as well as several other sector books.
 +
; [[Traveller 5th]]
 +
: Published in 2013, this is a new version of Traveller rules. There are mentions of the Galaxiad era set in [[Milieu 1900]], but no setting books.
 +
; [[Mongoose 2nd|Mongoose Traveller]] 2nd edition
 +
: Published in 2016, this edition continues the setting in the Classic era. In some cases, this is re-publishing 1st edition books. It has also added [[Reft Sector]] and new grand adventures.
  
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TNE starts in 1200 with an Empire in ruins. Set close to the Hard Time setting (Promise actually features heavily in the Storyline) the region was a badly damaged war-zone even before the Final War. The space close to the basic setting (Reformation Coalation) is well detailed and good maps exist.
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== History == <!--T:5-->
 +
'''Traveller Version Terminology:''' Over the years, GDW employees and the associated Traveller community developed many terms and codes to signify what sort of Traveller universe they preferred.  
  
−
===[[Marc Miller's Traveller]]===
+
<!--T:6-->
−
Traveller 4th edition used the core sector as its setting. Set around the time of the founding of the [[Third Imperium]], the setting focused on the [[Sylean Federation]] and its attempts to conquer or absorb the world around it. Given the depths of the [[Long Night]], the setting included the classic [[wikipedia:4X|4X]] (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) gaming style in an RPG.  
+
These terms and codes include:
 +
* '''[[OTU]]:''' ''"Official Traveller Universe."'' Traveller as published. Due to the number of alternate timelines now available, this term now tends to refer to the original [[Third Imperium]] setting from the years ([[1100]] to [[1117]]).
 +
** Please see '''[[Setting]]''' and '''[[OTU]]''' for more information.
 +
 +
* '''IMTU:''' ''"In My Traveller Universe"''. A reference to the particular customized game setting/rule mechanics used by any specific Traveller fan/player.
 +
** '''ATU:''' Alternate Traveller Universe.
 +
** '''IYTU:''' In Your Traveller Universe.
 +
** Please see the pages for '''[[Traveller Mailing List]]''', and '''[[Traveller Mailing List/FAQ]]''' for more information.
  
−
===[[GURPS Traveller]]===
+
<!--T:7-->
 +
* '''Traveller Geek Code:''' There is a special code for a player's '''IMTU''' (''In My Traveller Universe'') called the "Traveller Geek Code." It's a way of describing how your Traveller universe is constructed (and how it might vary from the 'official' [[OTU]] universe).
 +
** Please see External Link '''[http://eaglestone.pocketempires.com/imtu.html Traveller IMTU Geek Code]''' for more information.
  
−
Set in an "alternate" Traveller universe in which the Rebellion and subsequent Final War never happened, G:T added a lot of material to the classic sectors of the Traveller Universe while advancing the timeline about 15-20 years from the Classic Traveller set. The three relevant books are [[GURPS Traveller: Behind the Claw]] (Spinward Marches), [[GURPS Traveller: Rim of Fire]] (Solomani Rim) and [[GURPS Traveller: Sword Worlds]] (Sword Worlds).
+
=== Major Publishers & Versions === <!--T:8-->
 +
:{| class="wikitable" width="90%"
 +
|+ Major Traveller Game Publishers & Versions (Editions)
 +
|-
 +
! Pub. Date
 +
! Game (common abbreviation)
 +
! Primary Publisher
 +
|-
 +
|  1977  || [[Traveller]] or CT                    || [[Game Designers Workshop]]
 +
|-
 +
|  1986  || [[MegaTraveller]] or MT                        || [[Game Designers Workshop]]
 +
|-
 +
|  1992  || [[Traveller: The New Era]] or TNE                || [[Game Designers Workshop]]
 +
|-
 +
|  1996  || [[T4]]: [[Marc Miller's Traveller]] or T4              || [[Imperium Games]]
 +
|-
 +
|  1998  || [[GURPS Traveller]] or GT                      || [[Steve Jackson Games]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2002  || [[GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars]] or GT:IT || [[Steve Jackson Games]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2006  || [[T20|Traveller D20]] or T20                    || [[QuikLink Interactive]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2006  || [[Traveller: The New Era: 1248]] or TNE          || [[Avenger Enterprises]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2006  || [[Traveller Hero]] or TH                        || [[ComStar Games]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2008  || [[Mongoose Traveller]] or MgT                  || [[Mongoose Publishing]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2013  || [[Traveller 5th]] or T5                        || [[Far Future Enterprises]]
 +
|-
 +
|  2016  || [[Mongoose 2nd]] 2nd Edition or MgT2        || [[Mongoose Publishing]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
===Traveller T20===
+
== ReferencesSources == <!--T:9-->
 +
{{Advanced}}
 +
{{Sources
 +
}}
  
−
T20 introduced the [[Domain of Gateway|Gateway Domain]], one of the backyards of the Empire. A mix between Imperial worlds and various client states this is closer in basic feeling to the Spinward Marches while lacking the "big guys and old grudges" that are a common theme there. Set in the 900s (about 150 years before Classic Traveller) it has a lower technology level. Add in that the Solomani Rim War is close enough by to draw away troops and attract Raiders and the result is a rather gritty and dirty universe along the lines of Babylon 5 rather than the relatively clean Spinward Marches
+
<!--T:10-->
 +
[[Category: Articles translated into Spanish]]
 +
[[Category: Game Terms]]
 +
{{MET|Game Mechanic|Wiki Mechanic}}
 +
</translate>

Latest revision as of 23:47, 10 August 2024

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Setting: Each of the versions of Traveller had one official Setting, and others which were developed (usually by different publishers) to a lesser degree.

  • The designers set aside one sector (Foreven Sector) for no official development so that referees could do what they wanted, knowing that no future Official published product would later contradict what they had developed.

Description[edit]

Traveller began its 1977 existence as a universal game system with high ambitions to recreate any classic science fiction setting or theme. Traveller was intended to empower referee-gamemasters to create what is now called ATU's or IMTU's. Traveller's first official setting, what is now called the OTU, started very modestly and grew gradually into the rich, highly detailed background that it is today.

Game Eras & Editions (1977-2019)[edit]

Traveller Game Eras & Editions (1977-2017)
Setting Dates Era Name (Milieu) Primary Setting Events Associated Game/s Pub. Date
(-2404 to -2203) Interstellar Wars First Imperium (Ziru Sirka) & Interstellar Wars GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars 2006
(-2204 to -1776) Rule of Man Collapse of First Imperium & Rule of Man (Second Imperium) GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars 2006
(-1775 to 0) Long Night Collapse of Second Imperium & Long Night Marc Miller's Traveller 1996
(-25 to 75) Milieu 0 Sylean Federation & Dawn of the Third Imperium Marc Miller's Traveller 1996
(985 to 1002) Milieu 990 Third Imperium & Solomani Rim War Traveller D20 2002
(1100 to 1117) Milieu 1105
Milieu 1116 		Third Imperium: Base (Original) Setting
· The Fifth Frontier War
· An Uncertain Future 		Classic Traveller, Mongoose Traveller, Mongoose 2nd 1977, 2008, 2017
(1116 to 1130) Milieu 1120 GURPS Traveller: Alternate Setting (Timeline with no Rebellion) GURPS Traveller 1998
(1117 to 1130) Rebellion Collapse of Third Imperium (Rebellion) & Regency MegaTraveller 1986
(1190 to 1220) New Era Reformation Coalition & Virus/New Era Traveller: The New Era 1992
(1221 to 1300) Fourth Imperium Fourth Imperium Traveller: The New Era 1992
(1221 to 1300) Milieu 1248 Fourth Imperium Traveller: The New Era 2006
(1301 to 1500) Collapse Collapse and Interregnum Traveller 5th 2020 (Future)
(1780 to 1840) False Spring The False Spring Traveller 5th 2020 (Future)
(1900+) Galaxiad The Galaxiad Traveller 5th 2020 (Future)

Game Settings (1977-2020)[edit]

Classic Traveller
Published 1977 had the developed the first elements of the Third Imperium. Primary setting areas are
MegaTraveller
Published in 1986, the setting was the Rebellion. The published materials covered the Spinward Marches, largely untouched by the War, but described in broad detail the events of the War.
  • Hard Times sourcebook introduced the Diaspora describing the general state of the Empire and gave rules to simulate the 11 years of War after 1117.
Traveller: The New Era
Published in 1992, the setting was the New Era, Starting with the Survival Margin sourcebook and the fall of the Third Imperium and a century of slow recovery.
Marc Miller's Traveller
Published in 1996, it establishes Milieu 0 where the Core Sector is used as its setting. Set around the time of the founding of the Third Imperium (0 to 200), the setting focused on the Sylean Federation and its attempts to conquer or absorb the worlds around it. Given the depths of the Long Night, the setting included the classic 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) gaming style in an RPG.
GURPS Traveller
Published in 1998 and set in an "alternate" Traveller Universe in which Emperor Strephon was not assassinated, thus the Rebellion and subsequent Final War never happened. GURPS Traveller added a lot of material to the classic sectors of the Traveller Universe while advancing the timeline about 15-20 years from the Classic Traveller set.
Traveller D20
Published in 2002, it introduced the Gateway Domain, one of the backyards of the Empire. A mix between {Imperial} worlds and various client states this is closer in basic feeling to the Spinward Marches while lacking the "big guys and old grudges" that are a common theme there. Set in the 900s (about 150 years before Classic Traveller) it has a lower technology level.
GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars
Published in 2006, the setting covers the 200 years of war, peace, and overwhelming change as the ancient Vilani Imperium falls to the upstart Terrans. In this time of conflict, the opportunities for adventure are more exciting than ever before! Forge new trade routes within the {Imperium} itself. Defend the homeworld from invaders during the Siege of Terra. Make the first contact with alien races. Help guide the Terran Confederation in its expansion from a single planet to a sector-spanning empire.
Traveller Hero
Published in 2007 it never included a milieu of its own but instead covers several previous milieus including Milieu 0, milieu 1000, milieu 1116, the Rebellion and The New Era.
Mongoose Traveller 1st edition
Published in 2008, Mongoose returns to the "Classic" era and location, i.e., 1105 and the Spinward Marches. Although the Basic Rule Book has a little setting background, the first supplement released was The Spinward Marches, and published extensive campaigns in the Trojan Reaches Sector as well as several other sector books.
Traveller 5th
Published in 2013, this is a new version of Traveller rules. There are mentions of the Galaxiad era set in Milieu 1900, but no setting books.
Mongoose Traveller 2nd edition
Published in 2016, this edition continues the setting in the Classic era. In some cases, this is re-publishing 1st edition books. It has also added Reft Sector and new grand adventures.

History[edit]

Traveller Version Terminology: Over the years, GDW employees and the associated Traveller community developed many terms and codes to signify what sort of Traveller universe they preferred.

These terms and codes include:

  • OTU: "Official Traveller Universe." Traveller as published. Due to the number of alternate timelines now available, this term now tends to refer to the original Third Imperium setting from the years (1100 to 1117).
  • IMTU: "In My Traveller Universe". A reference to the particular customized game setting/rule mechanics used by any specific Traveller fan/player.
  • Traveller Geek Code: There is a special code for a player's IMTU (In My Traveller Universe) called the "Traveller Geek Code." It's a way of describing how your Traveller universe is constructed (and how it might vary from the 'official' OTU universe).

Major Publishers & Versions[edit]

Major Traveller Game Publishers & Versions (Editions)
Pub. Date Game (common abbreviation) Primary Publisher
1977 Traveller or CT Game Designers Workshop
1986 MegaTraveller or MT Game Designers Workshop
1992 Traveller: The New Era or TNE Game Designers Workshop
1996 T4: Marc Miller's Traveller or T4 Imperium Games
1998 GURPS Traveller or GT Steve Jackson Games
2002 GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars or GT:IT Steve Jackson Games
2006 Traveller D20 or T20 QuikLink Interactive
2006 Traveller: The New Era: 1248 or TNE Avenger Enterprises
2006 Traveller Hero or TH ComStar Games
2008 Mongoose Traveller or MgT Mongoose Publishing
2013 Traveller 5th or T5 Far Future Enterprises
2016 Mongoose 2nd 2nd Edition or MgT2 Mongoose Publishing

ReferencesSources[edit]

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
    Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=Setting&oldid=833688"