Behind the Claw

GURPS Traveller

by Martin J. Dougherty, Matthew Sprange (Editor)

Behind the Claw presents two complete sectors of Imperial space; Deneb and the Spinward Marches. Deneb is bordered by the Vargr Extents and the Great Rift, and has traditionally seen fierce rivalry between its powerful dukes. A long history of compromises and temporary deals has created a fragmented political situation ripe for exploitation by those with the wit and the will and there is always the threat of corsairs from over the border. The Spinward Marches is a border region, caught between the Aslan Hierate and Zhodani Consulate, with the tumultuous politics of Deneb at its back. It is the gateway to the Imperial frontiers and the crossroads of internal and external politics. Adventure opportunities abound between the frontier worlds of the Marches and the trade hubs of Deneb. Far from the Imperial Core, fortune awaits the bold and disaster lurks for the unwary Traveller. Includes 2 huge poster maps of both the Spinward Marches and Deneb sectors.

Genres: Role Playing Games, Science Fiction, Gaming

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Hailing from northeast England, Martin J Dougherty is a professional writer specialising in military history. He has been at times a games designer, an engineer, a self-protection instructor, a teacher and a defence analyst. Martin has published a range of books covering topics as diverse as self-protection, medieval warfare and space flight, and has addressed international conferences on anti-shipping missiles and homeland security issues.

Martin's interests include martial arts and fencing. He has coached Fencing, Ju-Jitsu, Self-Defence and Kickboxing for many years at the University of Sunderland, and has competed to national level as a fencer. As a martial artist he holds black belts in Combat Ju-Jitsu, Nihon Tai-Jitsu and Self-Defence. Martin is a Senior Assessor with the Self-Defence Federation and an IL1 instructor/assessor with the Britsh Federation for Historical Swordplay, specialising in the Military Sabre and the Smallsword.

Reviews

[Gerall Kahla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not one to bow to canon in a gaming setting for canon's sake. The enjoyment of my players at the table is paramount, and gaming authors should expect me to fold, spindle, and mutilate their creations to accomodate my game.

That having been said, I didn't have to do a lot of that with this book. Sure, dates are slid around from one decade to another (in accomodation of abovementioned gaming fun) but the core of the book described the Spinward Marches well. There were even plot seeds dropped throughout that are still germinating in my head right now...

Altogether, a good, solid Traveller acquisition. I enjoyed reading this one.