On Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 07:36:00PM -0800, Amber Witherspoon wrote:
> My brain attached itself to a "Spelljammer" type Traveller setting.
> For those who don't know, Spelljammer was an AD&D setting that
> connected all their settings via a fantastic cosmology based on
> crystal spheres that held systems and an ether like substance that
> flowed in currents between them.

Will etherships need to travel along these currents, or is it possible
to cross or fight against them?  Are there areas with no currents?  Do
the currents have different speeds or strengths?

> Right now, I'm trying to figure out a mapping system that allows for
> random generation of systems and currents that doesn't create a mess.

For hand-rolling, or computer program?  I imagine that hand-rolling
would need to be simpler.

> Currently (hah!), I know I want systems on 8+, but the currents are a
> bit messy - I have three possibilities:
> 1: roll for currents first - direction of flow, length, and travel
> time, splits, if it goes between layers, then roll systems with
> off-current hexes having a penalty.

I'd probably go with this.  I'd probably also give a bonus to having
systems of interest in places where currents split or join, since
travel junctions are often of economic and strategic importance.
Probably a large bonus for connections between maps.

- Tim