Throughout the vast Travellers' Aid Society sphere of influence, knowledge is a foundation of power; the power to rule and the power that makes people free. Journalists are the miners of that knowledge, and there are none more respected then the journalists of the Traveller News Service. From the world-based associates to the star-hopping staff reporters to the senior commentators, TNS professionals are the most respected news people in known space.
Here is a prime example of fine investigative reporting done by a staff columnist from the Deneb division. Covered below is an in-depth look at what it takes to become a TNS Journalist.
| 4-year Terms of Service | Ranks | |
|---|---|---|
|
Enlistment DM +1 if DM +2 if |
7+ Int 9+ Soc 10+ |
Rank 1 Associate Reporter Rank 2 Correspondent Rank 3 Senior Correspondent |
|
Survival DM +1 if |
4+ Int 8+ |
Rank 4 Commentator Rank 5 Editor/Columnist Rank 6 Senior Editor/Star Columnist |
|
Position DM +1 if |
8+ Soc 9+ |
|
|
Promotion DM +1 if |
8+ Edu 8+ |
|
|
Repost |
5+ |
|
1 Roll per term
1 Roll on gaining Position
1 Roll for each Promotion.
Rank 1 auto skill: Journalism-1
Rank 2 auto skill: Computer-1
Rank 5 auto skill: Admin-1
| Roll | Pers Dev | Serv. Skills | Adv. Ed. | Adv. Ed. 8+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +1 Int | Streetwise | Persuasion | Liaison |
| 2 | +1 Ed | Carousing | Persuasion | Persuasion |
| 3 | Vehicle | Body Pistol | Journalism | Computer |
| 4 | Brawling | Gambling | Journalism | Admin |
| 5 | Carousing | Gambling | Journalism | Forensics |
| 6 | Bribery | Hardball | Jack-o-T | Disguise |
(See below for skill details.)
One benefit per term of service. Maximum 3 rolls on cash table. Rank 5 get an automatic Travellers' Aid Society (TAS) membership, beginning on the date they make rank. Rank 2 through 4 get an associate TAS membership while they are on assignment (see write up). Characters with Gambling skill get DM +2 on cash table.
| Die | Benefit | Die | Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +1 Soc | 1 | 1000 |
| 2 | Body Pistol | 2 | 2000 |
| 3 | Mid Psg | 3 | 3000 |
| 4 | High Psg | 4 | 5000 |
| 5 | Eyecorder | 5 | 10000 |
| 6 | Who's Who | 6 | 20000 |
| 7 | 40000 | ||
| 8 | 50000 |
An Eyecorder is and expensive piece of recording hardware and
mounts on the side of the head and records in 3D audio and visual.
Who's Who means that the character has done something notable and
is listed in the TAS directory of distinguished professionals for
their region of space, opening doors to get assignments, sell their
stories or land a job.
EXPLANATION OF SERVICE SKILLS
| +1 Int : journalism requires research, travel, and a great deal of human interaction. Often, the journalist will expand their body of knowledge and ability to think and process information. |
| +1 Ed : in order to maximize their career advancement potential, journalists continue their formal education. TAS supports these efforts through tuition reimbursement benefits. |
| Vehicle : you have to be able to get to where the action is. Cascade skill per The Traveller Book. |
| Brawling : good for the occasional melee that might break out. The individual is skilled in basic hand-to-hand combat and can engage in simple fighting without weapons or with typical improvised weapons such as clubs (or chairs) per combat rules. |
| Carousing : it is handy to be outgoing and well-adapted to meeting and mingling with people. Apply as per Book 5. |
| Hardball : you may have to use tough tactics to get to the heart of sensitive matters. When powerful forces are playing close to the vest with info that a journalist feels should be part of the public record, a more forceful form of persuasion may be called for. This skill deals with knowing how to manipulate those in power in order to ferret out the truth. Part blackmail, part bluff, part bribery, and part public embarrassment. |
| Persuasion : knowing how to use information to affect people. Having this skill will increase the likelihood of a positive reaction to the individual, whether in person, in written communication or on recording media. Most effective with groups. |
| Streetwise : the journalist often finds it handy to be familiar with the ways of the local subcultures, and thus this skill shows that one is capable of dealing with strangers without alienating them. Used as a DM when looking for particular information. |
| Body Pistol : journalists by nature are non-combatants, even in most war zones. At times their work may cause them to become a target or unwanted attentions |
| Gambling : the character of the dedicated journalist is not given to gambling, but a good knowledge of games of chance will always stand one in good stead. Apply as per The Traveller Book. |
| Bribery : sometimes people refuse to be persuaded to share information unless they are compensated. Apply as per The Traveller Book. |
| Journalism : the skill of the trade. The idea is reporting, interviewing and research or investigation for a story. Includes ability to manipulate a conversation, turn a phrase, detect a lie, read body language, connect events and notice or recall details. Confers an Interrogation of at least 0. At skill level 3 and higher, it confers an Interrogation skill two levels below Journalism skill. Someone with no skill should have a -5 DM for success at even understanding the newsworthiness of a situation. |
| Jack of all Trades : often the TNS journalist works alone. Having a wide range of skills can come in handy. Apply as per The Traveller Book. |
| Liaison : subordinating your own views and prejudices can be very important, especially when dealing with VIPs, military and government officials. Apply as per Book 5. |
| Computer : journalists never leave home without a way to organize and record their data and their thoughts. Apply as per The Traveller Book. |
| Administration : every job has a little red tape and some paperwork. Efficient dispatching of the distasteful necessities means more time in the field. Apply as per The Traveller Book. |
| Forensics : for those times when you only have the pieces and the bits, knowing how to get those shards to tell the story is an invaluable skill. May be applied as a DM for noticing details, connecting parts of a story or series of events together or ordering past events. |
| Disguise : what journalist hasn't heard the stories of the great investigative reporters who went under cover to get the big scoop? Putting on a bit of makeup or a fake accent is the easy part. This skill also gives the user a better chance of being convincing in the role that they have chosen. |
