From
the Traveller Book, Introduction chapter, “Adventuring in
Traveller”
Traveller
is a set of detailed rules covering how the universe operates. These
rules govern day-to-day activities to be expected for any individual.
Against this background of basic information, players can work, earn
money, travel to distant worlds, and lead exciting lives of daring
and adventure.
But
Traveller does much more. The characters have an opportunity to
undertake genuine adventures as they search
for their own self-appointed goals. Some adventures happen
as a result of day-to-day activity. Some occur as players use
pre-written adventures . . . (m)ost Traveller adventures come from
the referee's own imagination. Each new world is an opportunity for
the referee to present a new situation to the players, who must cope
with this scenario if they are to progress in their own adventures.
(emphasis mine)
What's the win
condition? What you (the player) decide it's going to be.
When you start playing Traveller, you look for patrons, NPCs who
tell you what to do. Your PC uses skills and equipment to accomplish
the mission. As a player you learn how Traveller 'does' as a game.
Marc Miller states in the Experience chapter that real experience in
Traveller is in the realm of the player. “Experience gained as
the character travels and adventures is, in a very real sense, an
increased ability to play the role which he or she has assumed.”
That role is a person in a setting who interacts with other
people in that setting. That person will develop goals of their own
in the setting, beyond what the patron of the adventure wants. (See
above)
The End State or Goal in Traveller is the same for
everyone.
