Classic Traveller Double Adventure 1b - Shadows using solo play

Introduction

I am back to running the Classic Traveller adventures. I recently did Research Station Gamma and was planning to move to Twilight’s Peak.  The introduction to Twilight’s Peak stated it was best to run Shadows prior. I was planning to run Shadows soon anyway so running it now. I am using my Two Hour Wargames Future Tales based spreadsheet to run the games and generate the narrative.  But it is more Traveller based than previously. I have deleted some content from the generated narrative but otherwise have barely changed the spreadsheet’s output.

Chapter 1 - The travellers find a purpose

The story begins on Yorbund during the early hours on 190-1105 with the team in the Oasis located in the Rough area of the barren locale.  The team leader is Penelope Gray with the other members being Kathryn Reed, Jasmin Bauer and Ile. The starting tension is low.

Penelope Gray is a closed-minded human female artist from Wochiers with average characteristics. Attributes are Larceny and Crack Shot.

Kathryn Reed is a appreciative human female little boss from Rhylanor with higher than average characteristics. Attributes are Technical, Medical. They are armed with a laser pistol and a powered knife.

Jasmin Bauer is a calm human female scientist from Rhylanor with average characteristics. Attributes are Vehicle.

Ile is a calm Aslan female from Regina with higher than average characteristics.

Yorbund is an Imperial planet located in the Spinward Marches0. It is a normal sized world with a toxic atmosphere, some water and is at an agreeable temperature. The tech level is similar to 20th C, population is low and the law level has low restrictions. The government is based on monarchy with an aristocratic society and an average economy based on agriculture and industry. It has fuel and repair facilities and no military bases.

The object is to determine how to shut off the defences from a pyramid complex on the ground so the ship can take-off.

Chapter 2 - Solve a puzzle concerning the how to get into the pyramid complex

So they may accomplish the current undertaking the team need to work out a puzzle concerning how to get into the pyramid complex. To do this the travellers need to travel to the barren rough area. The team do not have the jitters.  Kathryn is seemingly distracted. Finally the party are all set to undertake to solve a puzzle concerning the how to get into the pyramid complex. The crew labor at working out the puzzle. Penelope gives it their best shot with higher than average savvy.  Penelope solves the puzzle!

The party crawl down the shaft and crawl onto the walkway around the shaft. (location 1 in the scenario).

Chapter 3 - Exploring of the first level

That they may carry out the challenge the party have to explore of the first level. There is no nervousness within the team, however Ile is talking and frequently using the wrong word. Finally the group are all set to clamber down a cable to the lower level. Penelope does OK. Kathryn attempts to resolve the task with average savvy but is wounded in the process.

Jasmin endeavours to carry out the task with average proficiency and is now unconscious and badly wounded after falling off the cable. Ile has endured the hazard but is also wounded.

(Party are now in chamber 21).

Chapter 4 - Solve a puzzle concerning the power plant

The travellers search the large chamber they are in. They find some grapples that will make it easier to climb up the rope.  While searching, the party run into three small animals.

Penelope is injured and the attacking animal slinks away. Kathryn shoots another animal dead. Ile grapples with the third animal and overcomes it but is wounded in the process.

The party have found the control centre.  At last the travellers are primed to undertake to fathom out a puzzle concerning the how to switch off the power plant. The adventurers attempt to solve a puzzle. Penelope tackles it with determination with below average expertise due to her injuries.  Penelope solves the puzzle and the power plant is switched off.

Chapter 5 – The character are able to leave

The party return the way they came. The band of travellers face a small animal. Penelope is injured in the attack and falls unconscious.

While still making their way back the party disturbed by loud noises. Kathryn is badly affected, trips and is wounded. The party get back to the ship.

The team find time to rest and recuperate. There is medical skill to help. Penelope Gray needs to recover and is now all fine.  Kathryn Reed needs to recover, improves but remains carrying an injury.  Jasmin Bauer needs to recover but dies from her injuries.  Ile needs to recover, improves and remains carrying an injury.

The ship takes off and the adventurer’s should have more time to recover from their wounds.

Verdict

My spreadsheet is not designed to run though adventures that are effectively dungeon crawls with no people.  It is designed to run adventures with fairly well defined scenes that build to complete a story. I did run Shadows fine with the spreadsheet but it generated narrative that is not relative.  I am not a big fan of this type of “dungeon crawl” adventures (one of the reasons I could not get into D&D as in the early days that is what it seemed to be). It is a short adventure. Having said that I am going to run Annic Nova but should take even less time as it is just exploring a ship.