Assumptions in Traveller, revisited (4 new items)

 

Having shared the original post, there were a few suggestions of additional points that were worth including from the folks on the Traveller Mailing List and various Traveller Facebook groups. As a result, I've made some slight amendments to the initial post but there were some completely new assumptions to capture as well.

10) Gravity can be manipulated

Spacecraft and starships have artificial gravity, and contra-gravity systems exist that allow flight, so cities, speeders and unstreamlined vessels can fly and float.

11) Reactionless drives exist (sometimes)

Since the early days, reactionless drives have existed in Traveller (or at least drives that allow a ship to accelerate for half its journey, then turn around and decelerate for the second half until it reaches it’s destination whilst only using fuel for a power plant). The canon developed into these being Star Wars like thruster plates in MegaTraveller, but originally it was suggested that these were fusion or plasma torches. Traveller: The New Era removed thruster plates, and used reaction drives, but the subsequent editions have had both technologies. However, reactionless drives are more limited now; their efficiency drops as you move further from a gravity well, and they become incredibly inefficient in deep space.

12) Technology is not evenly distributed

The technology found in different star systems can be wildly different, ranging from no technology to extremely high. The Imperium equips most of its forces at a sustainable level that can be logistically supported by across the empire, although leading edge equipment is used. However, you could have stone-age technology in one system and cities floating in the air or in space in another.

13) Actions have consequences

The rule of law exists, and actions have consequences. In many systems, use of violence will lead to escalation from the authorities and it is possible for that to follow you off world, especially if a bounty is placed on you. There rules that apply to star systems too, including the Imperial Rules of War, which amongst other things forbid the use of weapons of mass destruction. The rules are not formally codified and the Imperium may flex its response dependent upon the situation, but nuclear weapons (and other weapons of mass destruction) are treated very, very seriously.

Thanks to everyone who shared ideas and their thoughts on assumptions.

22 August 2026