Freelance Traveller

Game On

by Timothy Collinson

This article appeared in the February 2013 issue of the magazine.

Two neighboring worlds a Jump apart (or in the same system, as need be) have an intense rivalry over a twice-per-year sporting fixture. In general, the two teams are evenly matched but the supporters are at loggerheads with each other to the extent that there is often violence either at the games or in the near vicinity of them immediately before/after. (The result of the game or the performance of key players can often set off flashpoints.) Sadly, the ‘rivalry’ can spill out into relations between inhabitants of both worlds completely outside of the sporting scene. At one point, the SPA workers of one of the worlds went on strike over a large shipping company’s treatment of low-waged port staff; the other world supplied workers to break the strike.

The PCs happen to be in the right place at the right time to get involved. Or is that, perhaps, the wrong place at the wrong time?

Possible directions to take the adventure:

1. The PCs are in a ‘neutral’ drinking establishment when a fight breaks out between supporters of the two teams. If the PCs get involved, one of them will gain one of the fans as a contact, after the brawl, which can lead to a job. A PC that makes a particularly good showing in the brawl may get them hired as temporary security for the big game.
2. The PCs are attending one of the sporting fixtures as ‘away’ supporters. Unfortunately, one of the PCs is actually from the ‘home’ world. If his/her accent or demeanor (at, e.g., a scoring moment) gives nearby fans a clue…
3. The PCs find all their passengers are supporters on their way to a game. Rabid supporters. Cue much drinking, abusive behavior, and hijinx during the week in Jump.
4. As #3 but the PCs have a mixed group of supporters of both teams on board. It could be a long week in Jump.
5. One of the PCs says the wrong thing at the wrong time to the dockside workers shifting their cargo and suddenly find themselves without help. Union rules don’t allow them to do the work themselves.
6. The PCs are chartered to carry one of the teams to a game. They’re personae non grata at the other world for the next five years. On the other hand, they are given a year’s free tickets to all the team’s games (not just the two ‘derby’ matches) of the team.

As usual, subsequent developments are at the discretion of the referee and players.