Challenge Magazine TOC Guide
Challenge Magazine TOC Guide
Challenge Magazine TOC Guide
No. 25
Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Amber Zone
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Design & Layout
Barbie Pratt
Publisher
Came Designers' Workshop
Artists in this issue: William H. Keith,
IT.:Cover, pps 9, 10, 14, 15, 34, 40, 42,
46. Steve Venters: pps 3, 4, 5, 7. D.J.
Barr: pps 37, 38. Terry Manton: pps
3, 4. Bryan Gibson: pps 32, 43.
Feature Articles
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Twilight Miniatures Rules, b y Frank A. Chadwick ............................... 2 1
Features
Challenge, GDW's magazine of Adventure
Gaming is published quarterly, and includes
the Journal o f the Travellers' A i d Society as
an internal section.
Journal o f the Travellers' A i d Society is
Game Designers' Workshop's registered
trademark for its science fiction gaming
magazine devoted t o Traveller.
Traveller is Game Designers' Workshop's
registered trademark for its role-playing game
of science fiction adventure set in the far
future.
Twilight: 2000 is G a m e Designers'
Workshop's trademark for its role-playing
game of survival in a devastated world.
Challenge is copyright 1986 by Game
Designers' Workshop. Printed in t h e U.S.A. All
rights reserved. All editorial and general mail
should be sent t o Challenge, PO. Box 1646,
Bloomington, IL 61702-1646.
The individual issue price is $3.25. One year
subscriptions are $13 in the United States and
Canada. Foreign subscriptions (outside the
U.S. and Canada, but not t o APO or FPO addresses) are $ 2 5 per year, w h i c h includes airmail postage. Please make all payments in U.S.
funds drawn on a U.S. bank.
Submissions: W e welcome articles and illustrations for the Challenge. Please inquire
before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a
stamped, self-addressed envelope; w e will
send manuscript guideline and format sheets.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
No. 26
Amber Zone
Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Feature Articles
Twilight: 2000 Air Module, by Frank Frey ............................................3
Ref's Notes: Flow Charts for Manageable Campaigns,
by Steven Sowards.. .....................................................................I3
Cargo: A Merchant Prince Variant, by Terry Mclnnes ...........................17
Striker Weapon Systems Revisited, by Steven f? Drevik .......................22
Volcanoes, by Brent Reck ................................................................31
Military Academy: A Traveller Variant, by Marcus L. Rowland ..............38
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Publisher
Game Designers' Workshop
Artists in this issue: Kevin Pogue:
cover. Steve Venters: pps 14, 15. D.].
Barr: pps 17, 19, 30, 31, 32, 38, 40, 42,
45. Liz Danforth: pps 35, 36, 44, 46,
47. Bryan Gibson: pps 22, 23. Laura
Franz: pps 3, 5, 8, 11.
Features
From The Management. ....................................................................2
Just Detected.. ................................................................................2
Equipment List ...............................................................................I4
Contact: The Prt', by David Piatt and Craig Sheeley...........................35
Electronically Exploring the Traveller Universe, by Marc W. Miller.. .......24
Traveller News Service ....................................................................37
Casual Encounter: Boomer Brankovich, by J. Andrew Keith ................44
Challenge Classifieds. ....................................................................
.48
"
Page 3
Page 31
No. 27
GDWs Magazine of Adventure Gaming
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Adventure Scenario
Chosen at Random, by Gary L. Thomas............................................
17
Traveller Articles
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Publisher
Game Designers' Workshop
Artists in this issue: Steve Venters:
cover, pps 23,24-25, 39; D.]. Barr: pps
17, 18, 19, 20, 21; Liz Danforth: p p 35;
Tim Bradstreet: pps 3, 6, 9, 26, 27, 29,
31, 32; Dana Reischauer: p p 10; S. S.
Crompton: p p 42; Rob Caswell: pp
15.
Features
page 6
page 26
No. 28
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Publisher
Game Designers' Workshop
Artists in this issue: Tim Bradstreet:
pp. 6, 10, 11, 24, 25; D.]. Barr: pp. 26,
2729; Liz Danforth: pp. 31,34; Laura
Franz: p. 3; Tom Peters: pp. 17, 18,20,
21; Rob Caswell: pp. 24, 25; Steve
Venters: p. 41.
Amber Z o n e
Traveller Articles
Features
Page 17
Page 26
No. 29
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Traveller Articles
Features
From The Management.. .................................................................. .2
J u s t Detected.. ................................................................................ 2
Challenge Classifieds.. ................................................................... .48
Page 15
Page 40
Page 23
No. 30
GDW's Magazine of Adventure Gaming
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W. Miller
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Senior Graphic Designer
Lauretta Oblinger
Graphic Designer
Dana Reischauer
Publisher
Game Designers' Workshop
Artists in this issue: Kim GromoN:
Cover; Tim Bradstreet: pp. 3,5,6,7,
8,30; Tom Peters: pp. 21,42; Liz Danforth: pp. 23,47; Steve Venters: p. 49
(design by Rob Caswell).
Traveller Articles
Twilight: 2000 A ~ i c l e s
38
Stutterwarp, Rob Caswell and Zmothy 6.Brown ...............................
.42
Bayern, by Rob Caswell and Timothy 5. Brown.. ..............................
Baffletech Articles
Features
From The Management.. ..................................................................
.2
Just Detected.. ...............................................................................
-2
Challenge Classifieds ......................................................................64
Page 19
Page 34
Page 49
No. 37
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W. Miller
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Graphic Design
and Production
Lauretta Oblinger
Dana Reischauer
j i m Kuntz
Typesetting Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Publisher
GDW
Artists in this issue: Janet Aulisio,
cover; Tim Bradstreet; Liz Danforth;
Steve Crompton; Rob Caswell;
Robertlamison; William H. Keith lr;
Steve Venters.
Challenge, GDW's magazine of adventure
gaming, is published quarterly and includes
the Journal o f the Travellers' A i d Society.
Journal o f the Travellers' A i d Society is
GDW's registered trademark for its gaming
magazine devoted t o Traveller.
Traveller is GDW's regihtered trademark for
its role-playing game of science-fiction adventure set in the far future.
Twilight: 2000 is GDW's trademark for its
role-playing game of survival in a devastated
world.
Traveller: 2300 is GDW's trademark for its
science-fiction' role-playing game set in the
24th century.
BattleTech i s a trademark of FASA
Corporation.
Challenge is copyright "1 987, GDW.
Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN:
0894-5535. All editorial and general mail
should be sent t o Challenge, P.O. Box 1646,
Bloomington, IL 67702-1 646.
The issue price is $3.25. One-year
subscriptions are $13 in the U.S. and Canada.
Foreign subscriptions (outside the U.S. and
Canada, but not t o APO or FPO addresses) by
surface mail are $20 per year ( $ 4 0 for t w o
years]. Foreign subscriptions air mail are $35
per year ( $ 7 0 for t w o years). Please make all
payments in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S.
bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire
before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a
stamped, self-addressed envelope; we will
send manuscript guideline and format sheets.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
Traveller Articles
Hazardous Cargoes, by Marcus Rowland........................................... 20
Twisting Tech Levels: A Traveller Variant, by Fred L. Cain.................. 27
Traveller News Service. ................................................................. .3 2
Wrong Way Valve: An Amber Zone Scenario, by Jeffrey Groteboer.... .34
MegaTraveller Designers' Notes,
by Gary L. Thomas and Joe D. Fugate Sr.. ...................................... .38
2300 Articles
Features
From The Management ................................................................... ..2
Just Detected.. ............................................................................... .2
Armor in 2300............................................................................... 36
Challenge Classifieds.. ................................................................... -64
Page 38
Page 27
Page 47
No. 32
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc M! Miller
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Graphic Design
and Production
Jim Kuntz
Rob Reed
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Publisher
GDW
Artists in this issue: Janet Aulisio,
cover; Steve Venters; Tim Bradstreet;
Robert Jamison; Tom Peters; Rob
Caswell.
Traveller Articles
2300 Articles
Features
Page 18
Page 20
Page 28
No. 33
84"s03
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy 5. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Barbie Pratt
Graphic Design
and Production
Jim Kuntz
Rob Caswell
Kelly Walsh
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Publisher
GDW
Artists in this issue: Richard
Hasenauer, cover; Rob Caswell;
Steve Crompton; Jeff Dee; Tim
Bradstreet, Robert Jamison.
Challenge, GDW's magazine of adventure
gaming, is published quarterly and includes
the Journal o f the Travellers' Aid Society.
Journal o f the Travellers' Aid Society is
GDW's registered trademark for its gaming
magazine devoted t o Traveller.
Traveller is GDW's registered trademark for
its role-playing game of science-fiction adventure set in the far future.
Twilight: 2 0 0 0 is GDW's trademark for its
role-playing game of survival in a devastated
world.
Traveller: 2300 is GDW's trademark for its
science-fiction role-playing game set in the
24th century.
Star Wars: The Roleplaying GameTUis a
trademark of West End Games. Star Wars is
a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd.
Challenge is copyrightol 988 GDW. Printed
in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN:
0894-5535. All editorial and general mail
should be sent t o Challenge, P.O. Box 1646,
Bloomington, IL 61 702-1 646.
The issue price is $ 3 . 2 5 . One-year
subscriptions are $ 1 3 in the U.S. and Canada.
Foreign subscriptions (outside the U.S. and
Canada, but not to APO or FPO addresses) by
surface mail are $ 2 0 per year ( $ 4 0 for t w o
years). Foreign subscriptions air mail are $ 3 5
per year ( $ 7 0 for t w o years). Please make all
payments in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S.
bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for -Challenge. Please inquire
before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a
stamped, self-addressed envelope; we will
send manuscript guideline and format sheets.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
Traveller Articles
Traveller N e w s Service ...................................................................
12
Project Farstar, by Marcus Rowland.. ..............................................
.33
Iris, by Charles E. Gannon.. ............................................................
.53
2300 A D Articles
Lone Wolf, by David Nilson.. ..........................................................
.I4
North America, 2 3 0 0 , by Timothy B. Brown .....................................
38
Davout, by Clay Johanson .............................................................
.44
Stutterwarp Revisited, by Lester W. Smith ........................................
50
Page 6
Page 16
Page 36
No. 34
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Lauretta Oblinger
Graphic Design
and Production
Kelly Walsh
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Publisher
GDW
Artists in this issue: David R.
Deitrick, cover; Steve Venters; Rob
Caswell; Jeff Dee; Steve Crornpton;
Richard Hasenauer; Tim Bradstreet;
Doug Shuler.
Challenge, GDW's magazine of adventure
gaming, is published quarterly and includes
the Journal o f the Travellers' A i d Society.
Journal o f the Travellers' Aid Society is
GDW's registered trademark for its gaming
magazine devoted t o Traveller.
Traveller is GDW's registered trademark for
its role-playing game of science-fiction adventure set in the far future.
Twilight: 2000 is GDW's trademark for its
role-playing game of survival in a devastated
world.
Traveller: 2300 is GDW's trademark for its
science-fiction role-playing game set in the
24th century.
Ogre and GEVare registered tracemarks of
Steve Jackson Games. MERC is a registered
trademark of Fantasy Games Unlimited. The
Price o f Freedom has a trademark applied for
by West End Games.
Challenge is copyright@?988 GDW. Printed
in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN:
0894-5535. All editorial and general mail
should be sent t o Challenge, P.O. Box 1646,
Bloomington, IL 6 1702-1 646.
The issue price is $3.25. One-year
subscriptions are $13 in the U.S. and Canada.
Foreign subscriptions (outside the U.S. and
Canada, but not t o APO or FPO addresses) by
surface mail are $ 2 0 per year ( $ 4 0 for t w o
years). Foreign subscriptions air mail are $35
per year ( $ 7 0 for t w o years). Please make all
payments in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S.
bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire
before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a
stamped, self-addressed envelope; w e will
send manuscript guideline and format sheets.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
Traveller Articles
2300 AD Articles
Features
Page 14
Page 54
Page 2.5
No. 35
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy 5. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Lauretta Oblinger
Graphic Design
and Production
Dana Reischauer
james R. Kuntz
Shea Ryan
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Typesetting
Michelle Sturgeon
Text Processing
Karen Lumb
David Moll
Betty Mylott
Tim Ryan
Publisher
GDW
Artists in this issue: A. C. Farley,
cover; Bryan Gibson; Rob Caswell;
Tim Bradstreet; Janet Aulisio; Rick
Lowry; 1. King.
Challenge, GDW's magazine of futuristic gaming, is published bimonthly.
Twilight: 2000, MegaTraveller, 2300 AD, and
Space: 1889 are all trademarks of GDW. Star 7iek
is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures
Corporation. Star Pek: The Role-Playing Game,
BattleTech, and Renegade Legion are trademarks
of FASA Corporation. Star Wars is a trademark,
registered trademark, and copyright of Lucasfilm,
Ltd., used by West End Games, Inc., under
authorization. Warhammer 40,000 Rogue 7iader
IS a trademark of Games Workshop, Ltd.
Also, most game names are trademarks of the
companies publishing those games. Use of a
trademark to identify a product commented upon
in this magazine should not be construed as implying the sponsorship of the trademark holder.
nor, conversely, should use of the name of any
product without mention of trademark status be
construed as a challenge to such status.
Challenge is copyright01988 GDW. Printed in
the U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN 0894-5535.
All editorial and general mail should be sent to
Challenge, P.O. Box 1646, Bloomington, IL
61702-1646.
The issue price is $3.25. One-year subscriptions (six issues) are $15 in the U.S. and Canada.
Foreion subscriotions (outside the U.S. and
~ a n a i a but
, not i o APO or FPO addresses) by surface mail are $ 3 0 per year. Foreign subscriptions
by air mail are $ 5 0 per year. Please make all
payments In U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a stamped, selfaddressed envelope; we will send manuscript
guideline and format sheets. Art portfolios should
be addressed t o the art director, c/o Challenge.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPOI please include
an International Reply Coupon.
For MegaTraveller
Traveller News Service ..................................................................... 19
The Spice of Life, by William W Conners and Rob CasweN..................2 0
Fire Aboard Ship, by Dale Hanych..................................................... 2 6
For 2300 A D
For BattleTech
AFT 1B "Afterburner,"
by C. V l Hess ............................................... 46
Features
Page 11
Page 46
Page 58
No. 36
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Lauretta Oblinger
Graphic Design
and Production
Dana Reischauer
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
For MegaTraveiler
Traveller News Service.. ..................................................................21
The Green Hills of Earth, by Charles E. Gannon ..................................2 3
Starship Design Notes, by Jerry Westergaard .....................................
28
For 2300 A D
Devil i n the Dark, by Pete Rogan ......................................................
38
The Anatomy of a Missile, by Karl Bergman .......................................
46
For BattleTech
Text Processing
Betty Mylott
Tim Ryan
Publisher
GDW
Irtists in this issue: David A.
erry, cover; Tim Bradstreet; Rick
rris; Rob Caswell; Duane Loose;
bert Jamison; Janet Aulisio.
For Paranoia
Plan 9 From Out-R-SPC, by William W Connors .................................
72
Features
.2
From The Management. ................. .:................................................
.2
Just Detected.. ...............................................................................
E&C.. ...........................................................................................
.31
Reviews ........................................................................................
76
.80
Challenge Classifieds.. ...................................................................
Managing Editor
No. 37
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W Miller
Art Director
Lauretta Oblinger
Text Manager
Michelle Sturgeon
Production Staff
Shea Ryan
Tim Ryan
lulie Amdor
Cover Artist
Angela Bostick
Interior Artists
Rob Caswell
Tim Bradstreet
Rick Harris
Rick Lowry
Publisher
GDW
For MegaTraveller
For 2300 AD
For Paranoia
Features
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W. Miller
A r t Director
Michelle Sturgeon
Graphic Design a n d Production
Mark E. Fisher
Text Processing
Julie Amdor
David Stephens
Cover Artist
Harry Quinn
Interior Artists
Tim Bradstreet
Rick Harris
A.C. Farley
James King
Kim White
How to put the question to a non-player character with a six-sided die.
Paul T. Riegel
Do you use a wide variety of weapons and vehicles at the expense of
other equipment? These alternative items can enliven your campaign.
Equipment List
foren K Wiseman a n d Legion G. McRae
How would you handle an exchange with a Grizzly, Cougar, or
Lynx? An encounter with Canadian forces might bring you face-toface with these vehicles and more.
Publisher
GD W
A Journey
to Oblivion
Timothy B. Brown
The last wishes of a fallen comrade, even an alien one, must be
carried out, sometimes at great risk.
Robert N. Sprinkle
Use a grapnel gun t o pull an object closer, climb a vertical surface
i n a gravity well, or move safely and under control toward an object
i n zero-C;.
Prize Court
24
David C. Thompson
I n the spacefaring navies of the Imperium, capturing a prize ship
can send a career soaring, perhaps gaining the attention of admirals
or the emperor himself.
Boarding Party
David G. T h o m ~ s o n
Join the crew of the Imperial Navy colonial cruiser Kharkar i n this
exciting MegaTraveller adventure.
I
Monitor-Class Scout
James B. King
Learn for yourself that not all scouts are created equal.
31
34
Courier
Michael R. Mikesh and James P. Ward
Between Norris and Lucan is a swath of stars falling into the
depths of barbarism and chaos.
2300~~
43
rn~mf"
Beta Antarae Sector
48
Dale L. Kemper
Place your characters in the Beta Antarae Sector on the road to
where no man has gone before.
Direct-fire Artillery
e~~~.LTECH-
56
C. W. Hess
O n a battlefield dominated by prestigious 'Mechs and mammoth
machines, lowly artillery i s often overlooked as obsolete. How wrong
can some people be?
I
+
a
A
+
Starfighters Down
68
William W. Connors
One of the Empire's grandest starships, damaged and undergoing
repairs, may be easy prey for rebel ships. But just getting there may
be half the fun.
Ships of the
Pursuit Wing
John A. Theisen
Introducing the Commonwealth's
fighting ships, the Gnome, Whirlwind, Starhawk, and Cavalier.
Features
Just Detected...........................19
Feedback.................................
I
Traveller News Service............20
Reviews ....................................76
Challenge Classifieds...............80
v'
C. W. Hess
The very heart of every starship-and the driving force ,behind
man's entire civilization-is its power generation system.
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W. Miller
Art Director
Michelle Sturgeon
Graphic Design and Production
Shea Ryan
Steve Bryant
Text Processing
Julia Martin
Cover Artist
A. C. Farley
Interior Artists
Tim Bradstreet
Rick Lowry
Rick Harris
Rifle River
Karl Johnson
The Gang of the Gun is the first harbinger of what
the tattered remnants of North America fear mostthe emergence of cannibalism.
The gang is chewing its way up the coast-and
chewing
anything and everything left of
civilization along the way. With the help of the coast
guard, you must stop this epidemic before it can
spread.
up
Publisher
CDW
Ether Ship
Etiquette
Greg
- Novak
Learn how the elite conduct themselves while in transit between planets, and the behavior that
distinguishes the person of note from the common herd: A guide to interplanetary ether ship
etiquette-or getting there is half the fun.
To anyone planning to ship a party off to Mars, it may come as a shock to learn that it takes 70
to 90 days t o make the trip. The restriction of a small area which the average interplanetary liner
has to offer for such an extended length of time caused some problems on the early voyages of
these vessels. To avoid future difficulties of a smiliar type, the companies involved in operating the
liners to Mars have evolved an etiquette system that, in itself, provides some interesting background
on this period.
Special Supp
The Hinterworlds
Rob Caswell and Karl Johnson
A complete, never-before-published sector: The
Hinterworlds. Lying on the trailing edge of the Imperium and adjacent to the Old Expanses, the
Hinterworlds sector has been an ever-changing
backwater throughout its known history. Hundreds
of unallied worlds and a fistful of pocket interstellar
unities comprise the sector, which has proven to
be a Gpe birthplace for new life forms and has given
rise to eight nonhuman minor races.
The American
Marines
C. W. Hess
By the 23rd century, with America and her
colonies located light-years apart, the availability of
a well trained, mobile fighting force has become
a necessity. When nations were still confined to
earth, America employed the RDJTF.Today, a similar
organization exists, the ART. Capable of deploying
troops anywhere on earth within hours, the ART
cannot respond to situations off-world without considerable preparation. Enter the US Marine Corps....
The French
Lieutenant's
Connection
Marcus L. Rowland
It sounds like an easy job, though the money isn't
particularly good. The task i s to escort one Frenchman from Adrian to Premiere and make sure he
catches his ship to Earth. What could go wrong?
Sky Eyes
....
66
Dale L. Kemper
The raid on Patinir might have looked like a walk in the park to the guys on the ground, but for
the "unappreciated few" who had to dodge everything they could throw, it was tough!
-Loren K. Wiseman
Managing Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Associate Editor
Timothy B. Brown
Spiritual Advisor
Marc W. Miller
Art Director
Michelle Sturgeon
Graphic Design and Production
Shea Ryan
Steve Bryant
Text Processing
Julia Martin
Julie Amdor
Interior Artists
Tim Bradstreet
Bryan Gibson
A. C. Farley
Rick Harris
James B. King
About the Cover
"Chronology of Arms"
Artist Steve Venters takes us
on a tour of weapons past,
present, and future in this
exciting cover painting.
Challenge, the magazine of science-fiction
gaming, is published bimonthly.
Twilight: 2000, MegaTraveller, 2300 AD,
and Space: 1889 are all trademarks of GDW.
Most game names are trademarks of the
companies publishing those games. Use of a
trademark to identify a product commented
upon in this magazineshould not be construed
as implying the sponsorship of the trademark
holder, nor,conversely, should useofthe name
of any product without mention of trademark
status be construed as a challenge to such
status.
Challenge01989 GDW, Inc. Printed in the
U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN0894-5535. All
editorial and general mail should be sent to
Challenge, P.O. Box 1646, Blwmington, IL
61702-1646 U.S.A.
The issue price is $3.25.One-year subscriptions (six issues) are $15 in the U.S. and Canada. Foreign subscriptions (outsidethe U.S.and
Canada, but not to APO or FPO addresses) by
surface mail are $30 per year. Foreignsubscriptions by air mail are $50 per year. Please make
all paymentsin U.S. fundsdrawn0naU.S. bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and
illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire before submitting manuscripts, enclosing a
stamped,self-addressed envelope; wewill send
manuscript guideline and format sheets. Art
portfolios should be addressed to the art director, C/OChallenge. Foreign inquiries (except
APOIFPO) please include an International
Reply Coupon.
Management
w
Features
Product Distribution .........33 Reviews ......................74
Feedback Results ...........37 Classifieds ..................78
Traveller News Service ...34 Next issue ...................80
D. Acre
Players help establish a little piece of civilization in the face of approaching chaos.
This generic village environment can be used in Europe, Iran, and the United States.
Surprise at Clearwater
14
The Puzzle
of the Shard
Loren K. Wiseman
The twisting, turning streets, alleys,
and back roads of the market at Meroe
lead the adventure seeker along a
thousand paths to intrigue, fame, and
fortune.
33
The Madlash
Kevin Shriver
Meet the Madlash, a prairie-dwellinggrazer. When the herd is threatened, look
out-few predators will brave the adults' protective ring when they circle around the
calves with their tails facing outward.
Features
34
Macrocombat
David Nilsen
Resolve large-scale battles more quickly and easily than ever before. Based on
the 2300 AD combat rules, the macrocombat system yields the same kind of results
as would the role-playing system, but with less time and complexity.
Erick Melton
In any time period when unbridled economic and colonial expansion outrun governmental authority to oversee or protect it, some individualswill find it easier to take
advantage of others' honest labor with some dishonest labor of their own.
Dragon's Flight
48
C. W. Hess
Encounter an alien menace whose actions threaten to bring war between the UFP
and the Romulan Empire in this exciting Star Trek adventure.
Paid in Full
Lester W. Smith
Crime lords and loan sharks are
notoriouslyuntrustworthy, always
looking for some way to take the
payment and still seize a ship,
even if it requires murder. If you
are brave and resourceful, you
might survive this adventure!
69
John A. Theisen
New Coventry, a hostile and frigid world on the edge of the galaxy near the lmperium's frontier, can best be described as a cross between extreme arctic wilderness
and a Death Worid.
A~ock?n
Troubled &ers
Adam Giebel
14
Marcus L. Rowland
Challenge Showcase
18
Italy: 2300
Mark Galeoffi
Manhunt
Mark Galeotti
Leathernecks
on Aurore
C. W. Hess
36
W h e r e Ya From, Mack?
38
C. W. Hess
Features
From the Management ..........3
Product Distribution .............29
Traveller News Sewice .......46
Reviews .............................. .74
Classifieds ...........................78
In the Future ........................80
Next Issue ...........................80
Feedback Results ...............80
February-Marekn 1990
Pirates of the
Blood Asteroids
40
Marcus L. Ro wland
42
Jeffrey Groteboer
Imperial Research
station Beta
Randy B. Windle
Towrist map
Charles E. Gannon
60
Sam Bowne
Operation
Cormorant
John A. Theisen
Operation
Pile Driver
John A. Theisen
68
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Steve Bryant
Amv Doubet
Text Processing
Sheltie Holiday
Adventure in the realm of the Survivors' Guide to the United Kingdom on this mission for the British government. Loren K. Wiseman
Julie Amdor
Interior Artists
16
20
Leyna Tirenthe
One of the brightest stars of stage and screen may have a dark secret.
Christopher S. Willoughby
Tk.suble in Paraase
22
26
Griszoung
By the end of the Fifth Frontier War, Vargr Merchant Captain Griszoung
had made quite a name for himself as a smuggler and blockade runner.
Tad Ringo
34
Secrets of the h c i e n t s
Captured by a band of cutthroats and soon to be sold into slavery-you
must escape not only your captors but also the jaws of a trap set long
ago by the ancient canal builders of Mars. Lester W. Smith
38
44
Gdhulkru: 1889
Imagine the awesome menace of Call of Cthulhu combined with the
magnificent adventures of Space: 1889. Marcus L. Rowland
Showcase ............................... 50
Feedback Results ................... 64
Conventions ............................ 65
Reviews .................................. 90
Classifieds .............................. 94
In the Future ........................... 96
In My Opinion .........................96
52
60
62
A lack of organization plagued colonization efforts of the mid- to late22nd century-that is, until AECA came along. Clay Johanson
66
72
Page 26
76
80
84
86
Tactical S t ~ k e
Map-based skirmish rules and an exciting new scenario. Paui Kidd
Page 44
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Steve Bryant
Radley Masinelli
Janet Aulisio
Tim Bradstreet
Liz Danforth
Rick Harris
Larry MacDougall
Mischa McDowell
Allen Nunis
Kirk Wescom
Photography
Amy Doubet
About the Cover
Grossburn
Join the search for a CivGov army supply convoy that disappeared in
Georgia's Iron Triangle. Roman J. Andron
Interior Artists
18
22
Operation Flashfire
The PCs must foil a Vilani plot to initiate an attack on a border world of the
Zhodani Consulate. Wesley Kawato and Julia Martin
30
36
NuUian League
This alliance was formed to provide political and military security against
encroachments. But it is common knowledge that the recent turmoil provides a fertile environment for expansionist activities.
Charles E. Gannon
Challenge 44
38
Portfofio of Patrons
You know those stupid spy books where the hero always says something
like, "The moment Isaw them, Iknew they meant trouble." Well, that's a lot
of bunk. Inthis business, everybody looks like trouble. And their looks usually
do not deceive. Charles E. Gannon
44
Windsinger Saga
What started as a peaceful voyage quickly becomes a battle to the death
in this Sky Galleons of Mars adventure. Van Siegling
50
Black Market
Anything can be had for a price. Matthew S. Prager
52
55
Highland
On the first expedition to Highland, a ravver pack savagely killed the captain. Now, you must discover how to neutralize the rawers.
Clay Johanson
64
f$q
$' Page 22
76
Shadow Tiger
Page 55
A young Oriental woman runs from the mouth of an alley, crying for help.
She is pursued by a handful of gang members armed with heavy candlesticks. "Here, kitty, kitty," one calls. Lester W. Smith
78
Jet Packs
Nick tossed a hand-sizedthermal toward Hanson's feet. With only 20 seconds to clear the 25 meters to safety, Hanson calmly set his jet pack for
two bursts. Stephen A. Marinaccio I1
80
Warham
r by the Numbers
Optional rules to help you through tough situations in the Warhammeruniverse. Craig Sheeley
84
)otspug, ~
r ~ b !
Your landing pods fly silently toward the planet, merging with the barrage
of pods flung groundwardby the Orkfleet. Only you can stopthe Orks from
ravaging Grook II. Craig Sheeley
88
Page 64
GDW
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Steve Bryant
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Tim Bradstreet
Paul Daily
Liz Danforth
Rick Harris
Phil Morrissey
Allen Nunis
Kirk Wescom
12
14
Toll Road
Your mission is to bring down the government of Gomms, a balkanized
world in the coreward end of the Hinterworlds. Your options range from
blackmail to kidnapping to murder. Mark E. Gelinas
22
SnovsTblind
After rescuing a lone ship from pirate attack, the characters learn a
horrible secret-but will they live to tell their story? Dennis M. Myers
30
43
Ship's Locker
New MegaTraveller equipment. Mark E. Gelinas
Challenge 45
46
54
Hot Stuff
The PCs are in for more than they expect when they pick up something
special from the black market in this cyberpunk scenario.
Matthew S. Prager
Showcase ............................. 60
Reviews ................................ 88
Classifieds ............................. 94
Feedback Request ................96
Next Issue .............................96
In My Opinion ........................ 96
62
68
DonudRun
A routine police investigation turns into a panicked firefight when a
donut shop is suspected of fronting a black market operation. Unfortunately, the PCs are caught in the middle.
Lester W. Smith
72
76
Page 6
Page 14
80
o+uece~+
O.U.C.H. is where you get rotten teeth yanked from receding gums with
a minimum of anesthetic in the shortest possible amount of time. After a
few good whiffs of laughing gas, you'll barely notice when your rotten
bicuspids are twisted from their roots by a feebly trained pliers operator.
And with a few stitches and a handful of painkiller, the laughing patient
can be sent back to work as quickly as possible.
Merle M. Rasrnussen
86
Page 86
Challenge 45
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Steve Bryant
Amy Doubet
interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Tim Bradstreet
Paul Daly
Liz Danforth
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
Phil Morrissey
Allen Nunis
Kirk Wescom
The PCs are in for more than they bargained for when they take shelter
in an old, abandoned house.
Loren K. Wiseman
14
Challenge 46
22
IE-I.P,P.E.
More than a few surprises may be in store when the players attempt to
salvage a "haunted" scout ship.
Robert J. Cosgrave and Michael 13. Cosgrave
26
Fated Voyage
Travellers from Lanth to D'Ganzio dream of the Loreans Ecliptic, a
subsidized liner mysteriously lost in 1085. Some report hearing its radio
beacon while in jump space, while others insist they've gone aboard.
Michael R. Mikesh
36
47
Contagion
The official message boiled down to the following: "Something happened. We don't know what. Go find out and do something about it.
Don't overreact without orders, but do whatever you have to do."
What are we in for now?
Richard S. McEnroe
58
Deadmme
A series of bizarre murders in Night City terrorizes residents and sparks
copycat attacks. Only you can solve the mystery.
Michael LaBossiere
62
70
Page 6
74
hunting ground.
Lester W. Smith
76
The Space-Eaters
The Space-Eaters are a cunning and evil race, filled with a vast hunger
for the minds and souls of other beings.
Frederick Paul Kiesche 111
80
Page 14
85
90
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Text Processing
Elizabeth Meier
Graphic Design and Production
Amy Doubet
Steve Bryant
Interior Artists
Tim Bradstreet
Paul Daly
Grant Goleash
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
David 0. Miller
Phil Morrissey
Allen Nunis
Kirk Wescom
15
20
28
~wo~rnall~teps
Even when prospected slowly, space has riches to offer.
Charles E. Gannon
Our F ~ e n Mbania
d
32
Baker's Dozen
It seems like an easy way to pay off our debts-or is it? Thomas MacCarroll
38
Special Psionics
A secret report on the Zhodani. Jeff Monks
42
Special Insert!
Chaos reigns in the near future, driven by the Darklings who have
invaded Earth. How can we fight their insidious plans?
Lester W. Smith and Frank Chadwick
50
Fist of Nlah
Can you unravel the mystery that threatens all of Europe?
Theodore J. Kocot and H. Michael Lybarger
Conventions ..........................37
Reviews ................................92
Classir'ieds.............................94
Feedback Request ................96
Next Issue .............................96
Feedback Results .................96
December 1990
55
66
Page 6
68
Psiberpunk
"Classic" examples of psychic abilities. Legion G. McRae
72
Character Creation
Character creation rules and past history generator. Martin Wixted
78
Page 38
84
86
87
90
4b
Page 55
Challenge 47
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Text Processing
Elizabeth Meier
Graphic Design and Production
Steve Bryant
Amy Doubet
LaMont Fullerton
13
Interior Artists
Tim Bradstreet
Paul Daly
Liz Danforth
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
Phil Morrissey
Kirk Wescom
About the Cover
Barbados
16
20
Death
Find out whodunnit in this mystery set in the Solomani Rim. Kevin Scrivner
26
Orbitcity
Execute a 5th column assautt in this race against the clock. Robert J. Cosgrave
34
42
46
Challenge, the magazine of science-fiction
gaming, is published bimonthly.
Twilight: 2000, MegaTraveller. Dark Conspiracy, 2300 AD, and Space: 1889 are all
trademarks of GDW. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs is
used under license.
Most game names are trademarks of the
companies publishing those games. Use of a
trademark to identify aproductcornrnented upon
in this magazine should not be construed as implying the sponsorship of the trademark holder.
nor, conversely, should use of the name of any
product without mention of trademark status be
construed as a challenge to such status.
Challenge631991 GDW, Inc. Printed in the
U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN 0894-5535. All
editorial and general mail should be sent to
Challenge. P.O. Box 1646. Bloomington. IL
61702-1646 U.S.A.
The issue price is $3.50.One-year subscriptions (six issues) are $15 in the US and Canada.
Foreign subscriptions (outside the US and
Canada, bur not to APO or FPO addresses) by
surface mail are $30 per year. Please make all
payments in US funds drawn on a US bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire before
submitting manuscripts, enclosing a stamped,
self-addressed envelope. We will send submission guidelines. Address manuscripts and art
portfolios to the managing editor, c/o Challenge. Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO)
please include an International Reply Coupon.
Challenge 48
50
52
Time Voyager
George Wells is charged with the murder of inventor Averell Merritt. But
he swears he's innocent! James L. Cambias
Briefs ..................................... 58
Reviews ................................ 91
Classifieds .............................94
Feedback Request ................96
Next Issue .............................96
Feedback Results .................96
60
68
P%
72
Page 13
CADS
Introduce these power-assisted armored suits into your Cyberpunk
campaigns. Legion G. McRae
74
80
CommsLink Gambit
The Monitor is missing, the only sign of her a weak and unreadable
distress call picked up from the Delta Triangle. Could this signal an
imminent Klingon attack? Jeffrey Groteboer
84
Page 26
Wolftrap
Caught between the massed firepower of enemy 'Mechs and infantry,
Wolf's Dragoons struggle to hold their ground. Dale L. Kemper
86
88
Page 72
Challenge 48
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
All you have to do is see the convoy through. If there's no trouble, it's afree
ride. Right.
Mitchell K. Schwartz
Steve Bryant
Jeff Kohl
LaMont Fullerton
Amy Doubet
Pennsylvania Crude
16
Interior Artists
D. J. Barr
Paul Daly
Bob Dvorak
Earl Geier
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
Jeff Laubenstein
David 0. Miller
Phil Morrissey
Mark Schultz
Kirk Wescom
About the Cover
40
Challenge 49
'It'IheDam
Your assignment is to rescue prisoners held near a controverisal
Imperial project.
Kevin Scrivner
44
JuEan Protectorate
46
Explore Thymiamata, a grand canal junction located near the equator of
the Red Planet.
Neil V: Young
54
Briefs .....................................81
Reviews ................................92
Classifieds .............................94
Feedback Request ................96
Next Issue .............................96
Feedback Results .................96
62
Wrecking Zone
A Boostergang occupies a chemical production facility in the ruins of Old
Detroit. Michael C. LaBossiere
70
Inferno (Cadigal I)
A company mining world inside a star. Allen Varney
Page 6
72
~baaddon
Explore a region claimed by no known species, where no Federation ship
has ever logged a voyage.
Jeffrey Groteboer
74
F*IeLeT*H*
The Fully Integrated LaundryTreatment Headquarters:a DOASector setting
for Paranoia. Merle M. Rasmussen
82
Dandrian9sRing
Infiltrate the Alpha-Omega, the largest asteroid in Dandrian's Ring, in this
daring rescue attempt.
Chris Hind
86
Page 54
wuj
A planetary sunfey and minicampaignfor Renegade Legion: Cenfurbn.
Christopher King
89
World Generation
Generate your own gaming environments in this "Mind's Eye" RPG by
Rapport Games.
Devin Durham
lnserf
Challenge 49
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
Text Processing
Stephen OIle
10
14
Challenge 50
No mme to Rest
Apowerful baron is kidnapped, and the entire subsector is lookingfor him.
You are expected to find him and get him to a council meeting within 43
days, at any cost. Robert N. Sprinkle
22
Water Rights
A small town wakes to find its only source of water completely dry. Check
your six-guns, pardners, 'cause you've been selected to discover what
happened and restore the river's flow.
Terry Neal Sofian
Interior Artists
Paul Daly
Elizabeth T. Danforth
Mark Fullerton
Bob Giadrosich
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
Rick Lowry and Angela Bostick
David Martin
Phil Morrissey
..
The only thing standing between you and a barnfull of treasure is a handful
of booby traps. Take a chance to refill your larder in this microadventure.
Adam Geibel
Steve Bryant
Jeff Kohl
LaMont Fullerton
Amy Doubet
27
42
Confusing politics and constant bickering govern the armed forces in the
second part of this three-part series. Neil V: Young
51
57
TheMii
A complete history of the planet and its people. Charles E. Gannon
Product Distribution...............72
Reviews ................................ 89
Classifieds .............................94
Feedback Request ................ 96
Next Issue .............................96
Feedback Results .................96
Wolf, sprinting south through the alley at 40 kph, has 50 meters to the
street and safety. The car, going south at 100 kph, is 100 meters from the
street in the same alley. How long will it be before a steel-belted massage
ruins Wolf's day?
Michael A. Stackpole
74
Page 6
mbblle M&er
The ship's computers can replicate any nonliving object needed. And,
naturally, the system has censor circuits to ensure that nothing can go
wrong. Bring a few chuckles to your gaming session with this satirical
Star Trek miniscenario.
Marcus L. Rowland
78
Am
Through the
Looking Glass Eye
An old friend calls and asks for help, but by the time you arrive she has
been brutally murdered. Theonly clues are her cyber eye and a blue leather
glove. Can you solve the mystery of the deadly microdisk in this Cyberpunk
adventure?
Leaion G.McRae
Chllegage Index
Acomplete index of the Journal ollhe Travellers' Aid Society and Challenge
magazine issues 1 through 49. All articles are listed alphabetically by both title
andgaming system. Plus,each referenceincludesthe issueandpage numbers.
By the way, sincewe wantedthis indexto be complete, it ran a bi! long, so pages
47-49 are effectively part of the index, and are not missing.
Eric W. Haddock
Page 74
Challenge 50
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Art Director
Steve Bryant
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Tim Bradstreet
Paul Daly
Earl Geier
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
David Martin
Phil Morrissey
13
Blaek Siberia
In AD 2000, many armies shoot their prisoners, set them free, or simply
abandon them. But in the Jublunkov Pass of Czechoslovakia, near the
ruins of Ostrava, one of the old POW camps still operates. Its prisoners
have become an invaluable pool of slave labor. Thomas M. Kane
Kirk Wescom
LaMont Fullerton
About the Cover
"From this moment on, you will do as
I bid," were the last words that Martin
Spade heard before his mind clouded
and his vision grew dark. Martin's friend,
Carla, strains to glimpsethe processthe
insectoid extraterrestrial is using to
subvert Spadeto its own, dark purposes
inthis Dark Conspiracyscene brought
to us by artist Nick Smith.
Challenge, the magazine of science-fiction
gaming, is published monthly.
Twilight: 2000, MegaTraveller, Dark Conspiracy, 2300 AD, and Space: 1889 are all trademarks of GDW. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs is used
under license.
Most game names are trademarksof the companies publishing those games. Use of a trademark to identify a product commented upon in
this magazineshould not be construed as implying the sponsorshipof the trademark holder, nor,
conversely, should use of the name of any product without mention of trademark status be construed as a challenge to such status.
ChallengeQl991 GDW, Inc. Printed in the
U.S.A. All rights reserved. ISSN 0894-5535. All
editorialand general mail should be sentto Challenge, P.O. Box 1646, Biwmington, IL 617021646 U.S.A.
The issue price is $3.50. Six issues are $15 in
the US and Canada. Foreign subscriptions (outside the US and Canada, but not to APO or FPO
addresses)by surface mailare$30 per six issues.
Please make all payments in US fundsdrawn on
a US bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire before
submitting manuscripts, enclosing a stamped.
self-addressedenvelope. We will send submission guidelines. Address manuscripts and art
portfoliosto the managing editor, c/o Challenge.
Foreign inquiries (except APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
Challenge 51
14
20
My first impression of our new employer was that she was an agent for
some tenth-credit company, out to run a fast one past some poor monks.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Jonathan Crocker
32
Thymiamata: 1889
Welcome to Silvertap, populationzero? Hired to mediate a labor dispute,
you instead must solve the mystery of the missing miners in the thrilling
conclusionto this three-part series. Neil V. Young
36
44
Damsel in Distress
50
It was a normal evening in the Razor Edge Club. Trog and Wolfboy were
sucking down brewpaks and trying lo outbelch each other; Alisande and
Three Feathers were acting like they didn't know these two grunges; and
I was scoping the crowd, hoping something interesting world happen.
Looks like I got my wish. James L. Cambias
Page 6
Page 50
Challenge 51
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Art Director
Steve Bryant
MegaTraveller consultant
Charles E. Gannon
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Graphic Design a n d Production
Going on Safari
It sounded simple enough. All we had to do was go into British Columbia
to look for some elephants. How hard could a couple of pachyderms be to
find anyway? You just look for walking gray houses, right? Yeah, right!
Legion G. McRae and Michelle Sturgeon
LaMont Fullerton
Kirk Wescom
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Paul Daly
Elizabeth T. Danforth
Bob Giadrosich
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
Ellisa Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
Phil Morrissey
Kirk Wescom
16
26
Contact: m k a r !
Like the Ancients, the Hhkar were considered to be a vanished race. But
they have returned in force--could the Ancients do the same?
Michael R. Mikesh
Stalkers
Occupyingonly 10 systems, the Stalkers maintaina rather xenophobicstate
at the heart of the Hinterworlds sector.
Charles E. Gannon
Challenge 52
32
34
40
Reviews ................................75
Product Distribution ...............77
Classifieds .............................78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue ............................. 80
Feedback Results .................80
48
Ferengi
52
Attack of the
Ice-Age Cyborg Kamikaze Holsteins
56
59
63
Paae 6
You've seen Nightof the Living Dead, The Lost Boys, and Nightbreed, and
you've read The Vampire Lestat so many times you've nearly memorized
it. You loved The Howling and Wolfen. You're dying (no pun intended) to
roleplay an ultraslick vampire or a cagey werewolf, but most games
relegate them firmly to the roles of evil NPCs. Where can you go to satisfy
your craving? The answer is NightLife by Stellar Games.
Lester W. and JenniferA. Smith
A totally off-the-wall adventure for a new comedy game by The Avalon Hill
Game Company. Nick Atlas
SaradCaks
"Toddy has a real funny look on his face-like he's just been kicked in the
gut. The case is full of credit chips, the one-shot kind with bank logos on.
It all adds up. The mob is going to be awful mad at us. And when they get
mad, they get worse than all the cops and all the Ops and all the other heat
put together." Graeme Davis
68
Page 48
Challenge 52
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Julia Martin
Art Director
Steve Bryant
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
12
NewEquipment
16
WetNavy
44
Strider Incident: h
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Most navies include three main branches, plus avariety of minor services,
each with its own mission and training. This variety creates a needfor more
character classes and skills than the standard few.
Mitch Berg
LaMont Fullerton
Kirk Wescom
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Paul Daly
Bob Giadrosich
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
Mike Nielsen
David Martin
David Miller
Kirk Wescom
About the Cover
Challenge 53
26
At last! Here are the much-anticipated nautical vessel design rules for
MegaTraveller.
Terrence R. Mclnnes
How do you tell whether someone is who she says she is without ID or
proper records-especially when she's supposed to have been dead for
over 3000 years?
J. Duncan Law-Green
NoorIan Revolt
Foil a wicked plot and save the prince of Noorlan in this adventure of
mystery and intrigue.
James L. Cambias
33 A Grisly Harvest
Parents told their children to stay away from the house on White Chapel
Lane. Strange things went on there....
Eric 1/1/: Haddock
Opinion ................................... 5
Conventions .......................... 14
Cartoon ................................. 15
Briefs ..................................... 31
Traveller News Service .........54
Reviews ................................ 76
Product Distribution............... 77
Classifieds .............................78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue ............................. 80
Feedback Results ................. 80
48
56
Maiden Run
The dragon's voice is surprisingly deep and smooth, like a sub-bass croon.
"Above all, this person must not be harmed, molested or violated in any
way."A rumble creeps into his voice. "As for the penalties of failure,none
of you have the life-experience to even begin to imagine."
Craig Sheeley
Wired Society
Page 6
60
66
Page 16
n a mass raid.
Page 33
Page 48
Challenge 53
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Art Director
Steve Bryant
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
Stephen Olle
10
Seeing is Believing
LaMont Fullerton
Amy Doubet
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Paul Daly
Mark Fullerton
Earl Geier
Bob Giadrosich
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
David Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
David Miller
About the Cover
Challenge 54
14
24
wet Navy
32
42 Master b e e
48
City of Death
Opinion ....................................4
Conventions ..........................13
Briefs .....................................38
Traveller News Service .........54
Cartoon .................................63
Reviews ................................ 76
November 1991
58
ADarhandGyberNight
64
70
Deep Trouble
74
Imagine everything that can go wrong with a computer, from voltage spikes
to parity errors and system crashes. Now imagine all these things happening inside your brain.
Marcus L. Rowland
Page 10
A rare book is stolen from the private collection of C. Arthur Locke. The
entire population of Rockport, Massachusetts vanishes without a trace. A
cargo freighter loses radio contact during heavy storns and is presumed
sunk. Then things really gel weird.
Dan Snuffin
Carson spotted Danio's 'Mech over by some wreckage. It was upright, but
had some serious damage lo its torsos and head. Icould see Danto's body
sprawled in the wreckage of his cockpit. Then the 'Mech started walking
toward us, jerking (ike a zombie, with Danto's body swaying in the broken
cockpit. Things were bad, and they would only get worse.
Page 14
Page 58
Page 32
Challenge 54
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
David Nilsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
MegaTraveller Consultant
Charles E. Gannon
New Vehicles
Introducing the M35 2.5-ton gun truck and M54 gun truck. Keith Potter
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Steve Maggi
LaMont Fullerton
Interior Artists
Steve Bryant
Paul Daly
Elizabeth T. Danforth
Rob Davis
David Deitrick
LaMont Fullerton
Earl Geier
Rick Harris
Ellisa Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
Lawrence A. Williams
12
26
Challenge 55
Contact: Answerin
Meet the Answerin, a unique minor human race. James Maliszewski
44 Motorcycles
Futuristic vehicles can overshadow the more mundane automobile or
motorcycle. But sometimes the more common vehicles are more practical-and easier to get ahold of. JayAdan
46
Imprisoned in Noachis
Phipps didn't look so smug as we knelt before the prince, with soldiers
hoMing naked swords against the backs of our necks. James L. Cambias
Opinion ....................................4
Cartoon ................................... 9
Traveller News Service .........22
Conventions .......................... 39
Briefs ..................................... 42
Reviews ................................ 76
48
Nature Spirits
Welcome to Talking Eagle's Spirit Guide, the foremost reference to the
habits and powers of nature spirits in North America. Mark L. Chaffe
Paoe 10
The PCs are in for a surprise when they journey to the Eltaninstar system
to pick up an Eltanin envoy to the Federation. James L. Cambias
60
er9sWorld
Years of near-constant warfare have scarred the planet, hardened its
people and diminished its resources. The warfare has also reduced the
number of states to five-and all five are constantly at the others' throats.
Michael C. LaBossiere
Page 12
Challenge 55
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Nick Atlas
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Steve Maggi
The 112th Medcom needs our help to gain control over the situation in
Ohio. Paul T. Riegel
I0
12
Coventry
Camp Coventry is a lent city among urban ruins. Why have so many
residents vanished without a trace? Greg Vide1
18 Random Nuggets
These "adventures in the rough" allow the referee to run a satisfying
scenariowithout restricting PCs'freedom of mvemenl. JamesMaliszewski
26
Contact: betaowaa
The Ahetaovva are a race of animated plants native to hex 2604 of
Ealiyasiy-and one of the most bizarre races in all of chaded space.
Allan Hopkins
gas
The president of Iraq orders his troops to retake the land delved out to the
Kurds, and the DIA needs mercenaries to throw a wrench into his plans.
Can you hold of7 the Iraqi armored forces? Robed James Christensen
Liruoa hcidean$
32
Gnawlings
The Ole N'Awlins Cookery may be serving up more than just gumbo this
Mardi Gras season. Can the "stupid gnawlings" solve the mystery of the
truant travellers? Charles E. Gannon
38 VaUeyoftheHunters
The Kukrokra Valley is atreasure-housejewels, rich land, all thereforthe
taking! This talk of mnsters is pure wsuperstitbn. James 6. Cambias
Opinion....................................4
New Staff ................................4
Traveller News Service .........22
Conventions ..........................29
Briefs .....................................30
Cartoon .................................71
Product Distribution...............74
Reviews ................................76
Classifieds............................. 78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue .............................80
Feedback Results .................80
46
S
It has been said, with a certain measure of idealism, that justice is blind.
More accurately, it is technology, morethan justice, that is without sight. For
not only will technology allow mankind to reap new benefits in terms of
knowledge and opportunity, it will also gram manthe ability to prey upon his
fellows, and then to escape capture. Erick Melton
50
Fast Cash
Page 6
54
Roleplaying in The N
e Generation
~
60
66
Paae 12
Power Suits!
Bored by such a trifling mission as destroying another star destroyer?
Lookingfor a new '90y" to play with? How about a way to create villains that
would shake even the legendary Skywalker and Sob? Then you'll love the
power suit. Paul Sudbw
";9
Battle at Plateau
A warp storm can cut a world completely off from Imperial contact,
completely halting both travel and communication.Thus, the inhabitants
must learn lo live without the Imperium-if they survive.
Paul J. Giguere
Page 50
ChaUenge 56
3
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Nick Atlas
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
Residents of Jamesville have thus far been safe and prosperous by the
standards of the day. But that's all about to change. DanielAcre
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Steve Maggi
Weedward Ho?
12
LaMont Fullerton
Interior Artists
Joel Biske
Rob Caswell
Paul Daly
Elizabeth T. Danforth
Grant Goleash
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
Thomas Darrell Midgette
David 0. Miller
Phil Morrissey
James Nelson
Allen Nunis
Al Williamson
About the Cover
Challenge 57
16
Shellgame
A mysterious patron sets the PCs on a deadly undercover investigation.
Charles E. Gannon
22
Jewelll Situation
Can the PCs rescue the staff of an experimental asteroid mining facility?
David Schneider
32
Patron
Nlonsierswak the Earth? Sure. Vampires? Right. Creepy things that go bump in
the night?Tell me another one. I need the Laugh. Crag Sheeley
42
Sub
Journey to the bottom of one of the great lakes of Africa in this solitaire
adventure. W. G. Armintrout
Opinion.................................... 4
Conventions ..........................15
Traveller News Service .........26
Briefs ..................................... 30
Reviews ................................ 76
Produd Distribution...............77
Classifieds............................. 78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue ............................. 80
Feedback Results .................80
58
Cult of Deception
A concerned husband, a mysterious Mouse Man and a spooky seance lead
the PCs to a powerfulspiritualistwho has more than just parlor tricks up his
sleeve. Jane M. Lindskold
62
LiveEye
After months of interviewing people who own cute pets, filming children
feeding squirrels inthe park andfetching coffee, you finally have a realfield
assignment: an interview with Bjorn Iron Claw, leader of the Blood Claws!
Michael LaSossiere
66
Page 22
and a Leg
People aren't always what they seem in Shadowmn. Your adversary might
look totally human, but when you get in close, he might possess superhuman abilities. Knowingwhat you're up against might give you just the edge
you need. And knowing your options might tempt you toward some "self
improvements"of your own. Then considerthese new rules and optionsfor
cyberlimbs. Dan Snuflin
68
Green Squad 3
Page 32
The Rebel training center is attacked by an Imperial strike force. Can the
PCs organize and equip themselves to fight off the Imperial team?
Stephen Marinaccio
72
Beast Man
Even PCs need some R&R from time to time, and the group is taking afew
days of well-earned leave. UrAorlunately, they're poorly armed.
Andy Sack
74
Page 68
Chabnge 57
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Nick Atlas
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
"We have another little recon missionfor you boys," Colonel Blue informed
us. "Great," I heard myself saying, '?he last little recon mission nearly got
us killed up in Lima." The colonel glared over at me as nervous laughter
spread through the room. Paul 7: Riegel
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
12
LaMont Fullerton
Amy Doubet
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Steve Bryant
Paul Daly
Mark Fullerton
Grant Goleash
Rick Harris
David Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
Allen Nunnis
Kirk Wescom
18 DemonDark
Exploringaclose escort lost two centuries ago, the PCs awaken a powerful
psionic being from its unnatureal slumber. Michael R. Mikesh
26
Wolfsport
The PCs run afoul of a local merchant prince in the Vargr Extents and find
out just how seriously some Vargr take their games.
Philip Athans
Challenge 58
32
38 Dioscmia
A medium-sizedcityinthe northernsteppes of Marswest of the Boreosyrtis
League, Dioscuria stands at the intersection of three dead canals, surroundedonly by good farmland. Were it not the center of German influence
on Mars, Dioscuria would be little more than another way station on the
caravan route to Cydonia. James L. Cambias
Opinion....................................4
Cartoon ...................................4
Traveller News Sewice ......... 56
Conventions ..........................71
Reviews ................................ 76
Product Distribution...............77
Classifieds.............................78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue .............................80
Feedback Results .................80
48
Ghost Writer
The editor of Stupefying Stories is found dead in his home, the victim of
severe burns. His house shows no signs of fire. An unrelated blaze
damages the offices of Acme Publications. Three writers are killed in
apparently unrelated accidents. Something strange is going on at Acme.
James L. Cambias
Page 6
Garners often plague referees with questions like, "How good is expertise
level 2?"or "What skill level should 1 take in Combat Rifle?"And when PCs
encounter a new NPC, they may need to know his level of expertise.
Andy Slack
60
Sheets on Fire
It ain't the lone wolf that brings down the prey. It's the pack. And ifyou're
goin' up for a rumble, your gonna want all the numbersyou can get, 'cause
you can bet the opposition ain't gonna hesitate to gang up on you. Like the
wise man says, chummer, "The best strategy is to be very strong."
Thomas M. Kane
Page 18
64
In theNews
An assination attempt throws the PCs into the middle of adeadlydrug war.
Michael LaBossiere
68
72
f i t t i n g the 66Science99
in SF RPGs
From the far-future "hard" approach of MegaTraveller to the near-future
mysticalmilieuof Shadowrun, most responsible SF is basedon "facts." But
it is all too easy to enter situations where the scientific realities are over our
head or where
we are changing the laws of physics.
~narrest.cjannon
page 60
Challenge 58
3
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Loren K. Wiseman
Consulting Editors
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
A Question of Identi@
When your group runs across a mysterious piece of never-before-encountered
equipment, %ke your best guess" isn'l always the best MO. By R. D. Cmfts
Text Processing
Stephen Olle
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
LaMont Fullerton
Amy Doubet
Kirk Wescom
Rob Lazzerotti
12 Coreward Conspiracy
Trasilon Corporation has stumbled across something big. Maybe too big
for even its trusted voodoo team to handle. By James Maliszewski
Interior Artists
Mark Fullerton
Earl Geier
Rick Harris
Blair Reynolds
Tony Sczudlow
Mike Vilardi
er Zones
Three Rebellion-eramysteries to help the referee generate new ideas or
to supplement an ongoing campaign. By Greg Vide11
24
EscapehDio
Blogsworth suddenly grabbed my arm. "I say old chap," he said, "Did you
just hear someone scream?" By James L. Cambias
28
Opinion...................................4
Cartoon ...................................5
Traveller News Service .........16
Conventions ..........................23
Reviews ................................34
Classifieds.............................36
Feedback Request ................38
Next Issue .............................38
Feedback Results .................38
Product Distribution...............76
Head Honcho
Loren K. Wiseguy
Consulting Honchos
Les Filling
Dave the Wave
Art God
46
Steve Classic
S
txrsinessman from a remote island in the
The PCs must rescue a
Bahamas.The catchis,they haveto go inunarmed. By George WilliamHerbert
Mohammed Olle
Gift of the Maggi
Dem What Plays Wif Sharp Objects
50 I %te Mondays
LaMont Full of it
Cap'n Kirk
Amy Doo-wop
Rob Maseratti
Interior Artists
Janet Aulisio
Paul Daly
Rick (no relation to Dell) Harris
Mike Jackson
Jeff Laubenstein
David Miller
Phil Morrissey
56
42
60
Law Eraforcers
Most Shadowruncharacterslive life on the edge. But a few have gone too
far in their zeal and right over the edge of what's considered normal
behavior. By Jeffrey L. Groteboer
64 h s t Generation
the Enetsp
rse
ir'
warp
Energy bolts lash out from the alien vessel
meanbythis?" Data:
nacelksoff ketvvigs.#l, stickingout H s M : '
"It would seem they intendto kid< our &Yo$#@$&,sir." ByMkhaelC. LaSossiere
66 Apocalypse Cow
A new power has risen in the United Galactic Cowncil. This new threat to
humans, this force of a third kine, is popularly known in the galaxy as the
Jersey State. By Lester Smith
68 Bu
I
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Stephen Olle
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Milsen
Art Director
Steve Bryant
The world of 2000 bears a striking resemblance to the world of 1500. And
ihe real highways are now the rivers, lakes and oceans.
By Mitch Berg
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
LaMont Fullerlon
Rob Lazzerotti
14
We exchanged the rags of our uniforms for civilian clothes and flew back
home. All I had when I got oft the plane was a pocketful of worthless bank
notes. I had to find some income, and I mean fast. By Adam Geibel
Interior Artists
Steve Bryant
Paul Daly
Mark Fullerton
LaMonl Fullerton
Dell Harris
Rick Harris
Mike Jackson
David Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
David 0. Miller
Scoti Mullins
Tony Szczudlo
Sailing
16
WetNavy
Parl3: Maritime environment and naval combat. By Terrence R. Mclnnes
25
33
CdtofDoom
A strange new cult advocates the oveflhrow of British rule on Mars.
By James L. Cambias
38
X-Wing Down
As I looked out the door, all Icould see was Earth spinning below us-no,
not Earth. Earth was 50 light-years away. By C. W. Hess
46
Vampires!
Vampirism is acurse. Make no mistake. Ibecame a night creature six years
ago, and have been hating myself ever since. I wish Icould die, but Iguess
that's impossible for the undead. By Je#rey Groleboer
Opinion ....................................4
Traveller News Service .........37
Conventions ..........................445
Reviews ................................76
Product Distribution...............77
Classiiieds.............................78
Feedback Request ................80
Next Issue .............................80
Feedback Results .................80
48
54
HotMetali.&in
The government andAdrek Corporationthought they were prepared for all
possible contingencies. They were wrong. By Michael C. LaBossiere
60
Page 14
64
Character Templates
Five new character templates to add spice to your campaign.
By Chris Hind
68
Page 48
71
74
It Takes
Ends
Page 60
Challenge 60
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Stephen Olle
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Amy Doubet
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
Spooktek
10
(?It"
Cen
Steve Bryant
LaMont Fullerton
Rob Lazzaretti
Kirk Wescom
Interior Artists
Steve Bryant
Rob Caswell
Paul Daly
LaMont Fullerton
Rick Harris
Mike Jackson
David Martin
Thomas Darrell Midgette
David Miller
Tony Szczudlow
Kirk Wescom
12 Equalizer Project
Experiencedwet naval officers and sailors with gunnery and engineering
skills wanted for mercenaryassignments in off-worldwet navy. Contactthe
Ling Personnel Systems office if interested. By Terrence R. Mclnnes
26
32
42
48
Conventions ............................5
Traveller News Service .........53
Reviews ................................76
ProductDislribution ...............77
Classifieds .............................78
Feedback Request ................ 80
Next Issue .............................80
Feedback Results .................80
54
Page 10
62
Video Nightmare
A brilliant but insane computer programmer has developed a method of
integrating technology and magic, summoning a new kind of Mythos
monster by using enchanted computer disks.
By Patrick Sheats
68
Rogue Metal
Page 26
72
74
Page 68
Challenge 61
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Stephen Olle
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Amy Doubet
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
LaMont Fullerton
Rob Lazaretti
Interior Artists
Timothy Bradstreet
Steve Bryant
Grant Goleash
Mike Jackson
Scott Mullins
Bob Giadrosich
James Nelson
LaMont Fullerton
Rick Harris
Mark Fullerton
Paul Daly
Kirk Wescom
About the Cover
Nick Smith overwhelms us with his
cyberpunk painting: "Rezz Balder'CyberBuddha."'
"Bad Rezz" asks:"Access adata bankto
steal? Interfacing for monetary gain is unheardof nowthatNEONETmison-line.Once
you're sucked into CYBERREALMTM,you
don't need the physical world anymore!"
Challenge, the magazine of science-fiction
gaming, is published monthly.
Twilight: 2000,MegaTraveller, Dark Conspiracy, 2300 AD, and Space: 1889are all trademarks of GDW. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs is used
under license.
Most game names are trademarksofthecompanies publishing those games. Use of a trademark to identify a product commented upon in
this magazine should not be construed asimplying the sponsorship of the trademark holder, nor,
conversely, should use of the name of any product without mention of trademark status be construed as a challenge to such status.
ChallengeOlS92 GDW, Inc. Printed in the
USA. All rights resewed. ISSN 0894-5535. All
editorial and general mail should be sent to Challenge, Managing Editor, PO Box 1646, Bloomington, IL 61702-1646 USA.
The issue price is $3.50. Six issues are$?5 in
the US and Canada. Foreignsubscriptions(outside the US and Canada, but not to APO or FPO
addresses) by surface mailare$30persixissues.
Please make all payments in US funds drawn on
a US bank.
Submissions: We welcome articles and illustrations for Challenge. Please inquire before
submitting manuscripts, enclosing a stamped,
self-addressed envelope. We will send submission guidelines. Address all manuscripts to the
managing editor and art portfolios to the art dlrector, c/o Challenge. Foreign inquiries (except
APOIFPO) please include an International Reply Coupon.
Challenge 62
12 ThingsGotWeirder...
20
30
Itasis
A back-water planet in Corridor sector, ltasis lies on a safe route to Deneb.
By Robert J. Cosgrave and Michael B. Cosgrave
37
44
Encumbrance
The desire to incorporate every new object you come across into your
campaign must be tempered a bit by reality. And reality insists that a
character can only carry so much. By Michael Schiavetta
47
Conventions 992
Summerconventionlistings,this season's hottest releases, and aSuwivor's
Guide to OriginsIGEN CON.
Opinion ....................................4
Traveller News Service .........48
Reviews ................................92
Product Distribution...............93
Classifieds .............................94
FeedbacWNext Issue ............96
60
Pel-fi9Incident
The Klingon Empire and the Federation compete to woo the Telaraki into
their control. By Jeffrey Grofeboer
63
Page 12
70
Page 30
76
Monastery of Tasharvan
Thaneet's face had taken on an expression of profound sadness. "Alas, I
must seek another master. For if you go to that place, you will certainly die!"
By James L. Cambias
81
Kafia
The humanthirst for knowledge. Who knows what gleaming heights it may
lead us to--or what dark abyss.
By Michael C. LaBossiere
90
Forced Entry
The characters are free strikers hired to locate and recover the Walbran,
a Hyperdyne freighter missing near Acheron. Unfortunately, their employers have left out several very important details.
By Roman J. Andron
Page 44
Challenge 62
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Stephen Olle
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wiseman
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Director
Amy Doubet
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
12
Steve Bryant
LaMont Fullerton
Ami Jontz
Rob Lazzaretti
Interior Artists
14
Challenge 63
Silent Wings
The PCs are stuck on Vhodan, TL8 troops on a TL12 world, sitting in a
startown bar with their credits running out. By Terrence R. Mclnnes
20
Amnity
Secrets, showdowns and high-stakes deals abound on the Affinity.
By Charles Ryckman
Battlesight Zero
Sniper: A sharpshooter concealed to harass the enemy by picking off
individual members, usually at long range with a telescopic rifle.
By Capt. Thomas E. Mulkey, US Army (Retired)
24
Enemy of My Enemy
The odor of cooked meat fills the still air, as well as the sting of ozone and
hot metal. Empaths can almost taste a lingering taint of fear and shock.
By Craig Sheeley
30
34
40
JackedHn
Good living through creative circuitry. By Matthew S. Prager
46
52
Tiger
Mow there's a new threat in the city-a new tiger in the urban jungle.
Unfortunately, I'm the hunter. By Michael C. LaBossiere
58
Page 12
60
64
Dooley9sDoughnuts
The dreaded supply inspection!And you thought you were going on shore
leave. By Charles G. Weekes
74
Page 14
Talents
Most people have a gift in a some specific area. This rules supplement
incorporatesthese innate qualities into game play. By Mchael Schiavetta
78
Opinion ..............................................
4
Traveller News Service ...................42
Conventions ....................................56
Feedback Results ...........................76
Reviews .......................................... 84
Product Distribution ......................... 84
Classifieds .......................................86
FeedbacWNext Issue ......................88
Page 52
Challenge 63
Managing Editor
Michelle Sturgeon
Associate Editor
Stephen Olle
Consulting Editors
Loren K. Wisernan
Lester Smith
Dave Nilsen
Art Directors
Steve Bryant
Amy Doubt
Text Processing
Steve Maggi
Graphic Design and Production
Handgun Alternatives
LaMont Fullerton
Rob Lazzaretti
Ami Jontz
Interior Artists
Steve Bryant
Paul Daly
LaMont Fullerton
Rick Harris
Mike Jackson
Rob Lazzaretti
Ellissa Mitchell
Scott Mullins
Phil Morrisey
Allen Nunis
Tony Szczudlo
Kirk Wescom
About the Cover
Challenge 64
10
22
Wssing Links
Filling the gaps in slugthrower evolution support weapons. By Ken Pick
42
en Empires Fall
Special eight-page WgaTraveller insert! By Dave Nilsen
24
Conversions
Asmall solutionforthe disillusioned cyberplayeror someone who just wants
to take a look at a different gaming system with a tried-and-true PC. These
tables will help you convert Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0. characters to and from
Shadown, Cyberspaceand Space Time. By David Kufner
58
Fiberpunk
While boosters fight corporate domination and runners hack their way into
black files, a new breed of rebels has hit the street. They're fiberpunkshealth food addicts with an attitude! By Justin Schmid
28
32
38
DrSter
Iremember my old biology professorsaying IiFecouldexist anywhereas long
as energy was available. Still, I never expectedto meet anylhing that called
space h o m ~ s p e c i a l l ynolhing like this. By Michael C. LaBossiere
50
&oI*Run
Light relief for a more serious campaign. By Andy Slack
Page 08
52
Live Bait
The dragon Lofvvyr coughs. "This will be one of the most straighlfowardjobs
you've ever had, and legal, too." Already it sounds bad. By Craig Sheeley
66
70
Page 10
LimpingLady
Must selltoday! Stock lightf reighter. Inquirewithin. ByPeterM. Schweighofer
78
Opinion ............................................
4
Traveller News Service ................... 18
Conventions ....................................69
Feedback Results ...........................73
Reviews ..........................................
82
Product Distribution.........................85
Classzieds .......................................
86
FeedbacWMexl Issue ......................88
Page 62
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many ofthe t h o n ~ a ~ m .
And then, suddenly, he d h p pwd.BymHM
18
,..am
Thunhrmwb~m~hwtd
old enough that tho &s!em of
other beings mrrm e d v d t h
humansty Is v
w gumt=l.
Byh4MdC.~tlbm
24 AntonCagllarl
Anton C a g M baa taken the I
&.
26 Advanced W s
n
1
3b e r w m s to fill the gap
hiween small arms and autoc e n n o n ~ WKenPidr
.
32 Mck or Threat
Tlmos have ehenged. So f w a
Halloween panh.
BY-~M@W
Stat Trek@
Cthulhu'""
How To
%meoil," ly e w asthetanksfell
badt, firing as they went We
havent got timer A& S I ~
...................................... 4
...................
......6
..................90
Convwrtionl ..........................,..... 51
Submissb G u m .............,.... 73
F d b & FormrFlwrulEs,..M...,.......
82
produd O w m t b n .......m........."
....a2
MOWS
.........................................84
Cldineds............................
Nexl h u e ....................................00
Mastbad
Opinh
Traveller Nenrs Sorvfeo
,~~,HH~...~~mI.I.mm
"
~ # & . w d ~ l t h b ~
..
I
8
Twilight: 200UrM
Operation Boomerang
Dark Consnira~v-l'~
Star Wars@
evolution of slugthrowers up
throrrgh n13.
B y M PM
22 Pentonal Weapons
Oisawer the "missinglinks" in the
68 Solder Ant$ .
37 Old Enemlea
wit*
0-
By*rlJamU
42 V..A~ Goes Up
PCs engaged in a simple courier
job are thrown into the midst of
lndustrlal contamlnatkn.
By #Mael C. LasOsslere
chmmS9n-
..
Referee Tins
.-.. .
Features
.
- --.
..
..
.-. . . .-.-
,.. ..........4
bopinion.................
6
Traveller News Servke ...,..............
24
Conventbns ...t1....,.,.,.,,.:,...,,.....,.,,,29
. .
Slrbmbion G v i d h h ...................
79
Rcviews ........................
.
.
.... 82
Feedback FomdResub .....,...........85
Produd Dhtributbn........................85
Cleiflds .................................. . 88
N d Issue .........,....,.......................88
Masthead ..,,............,,...
.,
49 To Rescue a M y Falr
It is the p r o m k of cold, hard cash
e
v
w
w
e
y
' .
Tho n e w
+nPqrr hqat
Jaek the R m r is badt hirig his '
trade In the b e alleys ol
and
Space: 1889TM
72 DeathontheDocIw..
Aprospecllngw#alismyshiwsly
a t t d d inthk Starhlser adventurn. By M h d C. a i e r e
High ColonieirM
With SolomaniforestipntheIr doorstep and fierce ecrmpetitbn for resources, Khulam is fullof appottunitiesforadventure, prof it and&ingerl By Chad# E. Ganmn
,
1
30 Outback
-'we 62
.I"
52 Street-Slang Dlctlonary
Herepsthewordforthosewho need
to know. By David Perry
54 Paris Is Parts
Hauling a wildebeest and placating a loan shark land the PCs h
de~ptrouble.By W a l b D.Grew
58 Kleptomania
A mission of some de'licaey awaits
the PCs. ByAndy Slack
gomg on than meets the eye.
Paae 10
20 Mercenary Supermart
60 Operation: 9 Hells
66 Sclence Marches On
New inventions for Space: 1889.
By James L. Cambias
70 Exogamous Mating
R e x u e a (ellaw Englishmanfrom
the clulehes of local barbarians.
34 Wlndow
By Andy Stad
of the Mlnd
40 Bugout
Wherever there is war, there will
44 Zoned Out
The snatch and grab wenr Ilks
ctodrwork. Just a few more hours
afwaitiq,thenZeta-Imphemgets
sparnmed. By Christopher E. Wolf
.............................................
..................
.............................
..,.
...................
.......................
.......,.., ....
........................
Opinion
4
Traveller News Servioe
32
Conventions
57
Submission Guidelines
77
Reviews
,
..,......M.~82
Fwdback FormlResuits
85
Product Distribution
85
Classifids
86
Next Issue
88
Page 66
......................................
......................................
40 Who's On W r s t
fhe Wtirnetheardabolrtsow
hty2lustigsomebodyebwas
W in the earfy 203. And that
was m s e the 0 t h wy had
m dmike. 8y Ch& Hussy
44 W H ~ P P Y
S o m n e Is oflerlng a fortune
for four hours of time. Bul the
employer contacts the pmspects, By Craig Sheeley
Regent 6rzk of the League of
Antares has been assassinated,throwing the League into
chaos!
By James M a t i ~ k i
48 RepoMen
A desperate woman turns to
the PCs for help. She needs
them to kidnap her children.
By Andy SIadc
52 Operation: Aurora
The m w e r w e s t s ywrser*fwaninpoltantmtrn
sion a d testing d an experjrnerrtal device. By G r q Urger
68 SPECIAL INSERTI
When Empires Fall
Part II
"Perhaps the Collapse m l d
ultimately !x blamed on SolomaniSecurity. Or ImperialAmy
Intelligence. Or Joachirn
Sanchex and Ealdwln Wei. But
what would be the point? The
facts are these.
Learn the history of the vlnrs
and how R spelled the end of
the Third llmperium in this spe-
56 Melas
Page 44
.."
cial MegaTtaveller~veller:
The New Era insert.
By Dave Nitsen
34 Road Work
PCs hired to transpart supplies
and equipment to human survivors In Demngmund-infested
West Virginia may be lured irrto
an slabrate Da& Minion plot.
By Michael C. LaSossiem
Opinion ............................................ .4
Traveller Newt-. 7LFgua................ 32
Conventions
12
The Big Screen
,...,.....,m...79
Reviews
,
.
82
Feedback Famr/F\esuks
85
Product DisZribvtian
85
Class ifi d s
.,
.88
Next Issue
88
...................................
..............
..................... ................
.................
Page 56
........................
...............,..................
...................................
48 Gorgon Hunt
The PCs must Yak dorm" an experimentaldl robot tank deployed
against the Kafers. By Andy S k k
52 Bantha Cannon
ccProcead to Entwine. Foeus
dedicated energy receptors on
planet. Wait lor further instructions.>> By Chris Hind
56 Guderlan Dreams
Encounter nomad panzerbays
whilo trying ta obtain a hard-to~ f l n dc o m r n d t . 8yLegk-m
24 Toraago
Tha PCs may find themselvss
forced into slavery when the
Darakhajumps intothe wrong system. By C!aybn R. Bush
60 Panzers
Rules an building and uslng
panzersl8yLeg.b
64 Thrn Jack
Is it not wisely said that there are
-w
mate challenge? By P a d L m s
36 Secret Agent
Wherever there arepawedulinterests, there are shadowy special
agents doing their bidding,
By Dave Panchyk
74 Vehicles
New vehicles designed to carry
infantry, fight infantry, andsupport
field weapons.
By Michael C. Lahsiere
40 Assassln Archetype
*In this world, excsllenm casts.my
friends. How much are you millinn
to pay?" ~ y ~ a v i d p e r & / -
'
FA
W+
Opinion...............,...........
................. 4
' A History of GDW............................. 5
................16
.......,....................... 34
?mveller News Sewics ..................
46
Raviews .......................
... ......82
Feedback Formmesub ................. 85
P M u d Distribution ........................
85
Classd~eds........
. . .........86
Next Issue ......................................
88
Ask Commodore Bwana
Conventions
'-'
- ..-
d . .
I
6
Twilight: 2000 sM - I
Toolsofthellnde
Th Is diff leult-tdaln hardware
may helptoengenderamorecornplex roleplaying atmosphere in
your gaming group.
B y C h u d c ~ I I
enridge County.
by^^^
An A r m ConsbuchbnT
Bym-
2
0
m
20 m I n w & m b a t
A kak at m e of tho tochnlcal
~mwhlcharlsewhenlasers
36 mlbdhgellan
Help usher Humanhi over the
How To
em-
I Dark ConspiracyrMI
fl
~m,Names,I ma
Creatlngamgw-m
can he@yw snroid a Hdme d
h t m h .&hw?Wmer
Dumdl
Thewre remainingeyefibopen,
d you try to jump b d , but tho
b n y ann whips out and gdm
ywr shoulder befweyou can begin to react.
E& Orrn Sn*
SMnedme8,t)seshadowsfmrorthe
small, the quiet, and the M y .
ByhMdOiMan
54 ntMAtchetype
"So you want me In on your lob.
huh? C m Y say I'm surprld.
Seemto meyoucwldusosomeone who can do something mwo
au~~perry
Features
........... .................
......
.... ..,..
..............
Oplnbn
,
,
,
TweUer News Senriee ,
,
3
S h l s s k n Guide&to9
,.4
-t~
S.~*.+.~*.*m.*~.*.~..~
RWWS
,
8
Aslr Corn&
Bvrana
8
F d b d t Fwmlftesub , ,,..a
Product D b t h h n
0
CfadMa
8
Nexl b e ,
l
Infantry Weapons
Introducing the C o k M I 6A4 ACR,
Steyr ACR, Fhl P90 PDW and
Heckler 8 Koch MP 20QO.
By Hans-ChristfanVoiiisch
Sabre Rattlllng
Reconnoiter an R&0 facility the
facilities and eliminate any biilogical threat. By Allen Ray Garbee
64 Bloedverslty
He suddenly looked up and saw
things dropping in for supperimm
the trees. The only problem was
that it looked like we were i n the
menu. By Andy S/a&
12 Last Stop
In three hours, four peopCe have
erRered the store, but none haw
mrne out. By Mkhaaf C. LaSossEere
18 Foresight
Transport yourcharacters7Oyean
Into the future. By Keny Mould
24 Scenarlo Generation
Tables designedto get you darted
runningadventures inthe New Era.
By Cray Bush
34 The Awakening
72 The Buok
The molderirrg tomes of fohidden
knowledge and sorcery found by
investigators are without a doubt
one of the greatest prizes to be
had. By Greg Unger
40 Svbllghf Drfves
Conventional (and unmnvsntional)
sublightdriveabernatives.ByDave
N k e n and Frank Chadwidc
46 Cold Fuslon
R all began nMarch of 1989 in Salt
Lake City when Drs. Martin
Fleisehman and 8. Martin Pons
announced that they had dlsmvered a cold-process far fusion.
By Frank Chadwick
76 Quarantine Field
The humans suddenly begin convulsing, gasping tor breath, and
collapsing. Wdhin a few minutes,
they are dead. By Brian Wolmes
79 Ananuru Express
Imperial scientists are so horrified
by the irnplicationsoftheirresearch
that they destroy the project and
defect to the Rebel Alliance.
By AIison Bmks
............................................- 4
Opinion
Coalition Information Nehvork
Submission Guidelines
Conventions
Reviews
........32
...................
63
...................................67
.............,......................
.82
................84
Classifieds
Next Issue
85
...................................... 86
....................................88
Crazy Horse
10 Altrulstle Motlves
54 Bridge Work
I6 Nuggets
Six random nuggets written aspe.
eially fur the New Era setting.
By James Malisrewski
24 Lethality In Roleplaying
Small Arms Systems
66 Character Templates
A new ship design and character
templates to supplement the Mos
Eisley Galaxy Guide.
By Marlin Wixted
72 New GechnologFes
New technology, tactics and cornbined arms are desired to overcome the clans' devastating combat ability, but rile has been offered specifically. Until now.
By Aaron Braskin
42 Act IonlReactlon
This time, the prcblem iscomingto
you. By Christopher Zjegler
38 Dance of Death
apprehended.
By Chuck Kallenbach I1
Opinion ...............................................4
Boy Is Out Face Red ........................... 5
Coalition Indotmation Network
30
Submission Guidelines
57
Conventions
65
...........
......................
...................................
Reviews .........,....,.......
.
.
................ 82
Ask Commodore Bwana ....................84
Feedback FormJResults ....................
85
Product Distribution ........................... 85
P a g a 3 8 1 C l a s r i f i e d s .................... .
.
.
..........86
Next Issue ................... .
,
.
......
.
.....88
TM
1
)
course
uwlvat
By Paul Lucas
10 PdvateChaRer
When a job sounds too g w d to
be true, it usually is.
By Allen Ray Garbee
56 ~ a r t l a l m
Morl
When you think the bsdtle's wer,
the fight has lust begun.
.. .
By J. 8. Hll
Space: 188WM
70 IlventyThousandLeagues
Through Martian SWes
For w h k s now, &ud&ips had
22 Black Powder
Flrearm Deslgn
I Dark ConspiracyTM
su
36 Globules
Horror emerges from the strangest
and mt unexpected places these
dws. Who wuld ever have suspected that r nightmare muld ooze
forth from a small Mainetown? But it
did. Perhaps a nbhmare waiting to
happen lies next dmr to us dl.
By Mkh& C. L-ssiere
HoloNet
waystation
50 Spy Archetype
I've been a street-ganger, a jet-set
hanger-on, whatever the job required. You want someone to get
in close to your enemies, I'm the
one you need, By David Perry
S
Challenge 74
....28
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81
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.
.............82
............,... 85
......................A5
ClWlleds .............................
.......:.88
Next Issue ...................
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88
Technical Assessment Database
Coalhlon Informadon Network
Submission Guidelines
Ask Commodore Bwma
Review
feedback Form/Results
Product Distribution
38 A Frlend in Need
6
Undercity
Journey into an abandoned portion of aglobal arcology to investigate a mystery dating back to the
time of the Old Imperium.
A TNE adventure by Greg Vide11
16 Planetfall
Skirmish-level combat for Traveller: The New Era.
Miniatures rules by John Fletcher
36 Quick Start
Fast PC generation for Traveller:
The New Era.
By Andy Slack
Challenge 75
48 Karel Rossurn
Karel Rossum has a secret, and
it's a big one.
An NPC by James L. Cambias
58 Core Subsector
The Core systems of 2300 AD
rated for Traveller: The New Era.
By Andy Slack
66 F, F & S Upgrade
The complete listing of all changes
in the second ~rintinaof Fire. Fusion & ~teel,'toa l l k owneis of
the first printing to upgrade their
own copies.
By David Nilsen
Opinion .............................................4
Coalition Information Network ........24
35
Conventions ...................................
Submission Guidelines ...................51
Technical Assessment Database....78
Reviews .........................................80
Ask Commodore Bwana ................84
Feedback Form/Results .................85
Product Distribution ........................ 85
Classifieds ......................................
86
Next Issue ......................................
88
Rabysitters
An snccslral sward begins its journey home. By Glenn P a t h and
Dtrk Folmer
10 IDID Aeroweapons
Aircraft and weapons addendum,
By Roman J. Rndron
56 Of Circuit Born
Cyberspace is a strange and alien
environment the human visual
analog of the world's communication network. In the year 2090,
there's a lot of harmlessjunk tloating around in there, and a lot ot
information that can make a net
junkie rich-or dead. Sometimes
it's hard to lell whrch is which.
By Guy Murdock and Paul B n m m
14 Playland
A search lor a missing far trader
26 A Blighted Land
A prequcl to the adventure cam.
paign and sourcebook Vampire
Fleets. By Frank Chadwrck
58 DOA
A hot rock band has suddenlyfound
itself wilhout security. How hard
can it ba nding escort for a couple
scrolls
now worth a klng*s ransom. Oh,
and one other item-the secret d
eternal life. By J.B.Hti1
70 Mission to Shastapsh
Can the PC$ persuade a young
privateer to stop altacklng British
vessels? Or will the British and
Arnerlcans stop short of nothing
but w a 0 By James L. Carnbias
our move,
By Christopher E. Wolf
10 make
Challenge 76
76 Death by Triflexia
d~dn'tslgn on wlth the Rebelt~onto die from trillexla, I came to
shaol Imperials.
By Peter M. Schwelghofer
'I
O p ~ n ~ .....................................
on
4
Submission Guidelines ...................
9
Coal~tionlnformal~onNetwork
24
Conventlans ..................................
69
Technical Assessment Database . 80
Reviews ........................................
82
Ask Commodore Bwana ...............84
Feedback FormlResults ...............85
Product Distribution
.
,85
Classifieds ................................... 86
Next Issue .................................... 88
......
....................
1I Gierman,CombatEquipment
LiM weapons and personal gear
fietded by German forces in the
war. By Hans-Christian Vortisch
58 Cltyof Tomorrow
14 ShortNap
PCs awakenfrom cold berthsto find
themselves held prisoner by raiders
In the Wilds. By Michael#, Mesh
20 Clarlssa Nolr
There's more going on with this
corporate liaison than meets the
eye. By Greg Vie11
62 P
It's dark, noisy, foul smelling, dangerous--all that and mwe. But it's
a parl oi the city that you'd M e r
22 Noteson CollapsingWortds
The off lcial procedure tor arnverting old data to the new standards.
& Mark "Gm' Gelinas
How To
70 panoora's eox
32 Welcome to...uh...theTown
72 Gene-Spt tees
L'
Features
1)
50 Black Market
Explore the black markets, where
anything banned or restricted by
the government can belound, and
profit is always the prime concern.
By Justin Schmid
2
Cha
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...
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................
4
Coantbn Informah Network
30
Submission Guidelines
49
Conventions
75
Technid Assetmwnl D a t a . 78
Rwbws
,80
Ask Commodore Bwans
84
F d b & Fa~msults
85
Plodud DIstributlon
86
C
~
~
s
86
Nexl h u e
88
Oprnh