It’s 12.46pm, lunchtime. Sitting down at my desk to eat lunch, I take out my copy of Traveller Book 3 (1977), 2D6, and an A6 leather notebook with a stubby pencil. Five minutes later I’ve added the data for another world in Sector 001 to my notebook and I’m having a bite of my sandwich as a reward.

As with all Tiny Prep, this is a simple and easy approach to filling out the 39 entries I need for my Traveller subsector map. The task is to roll up one set of world data for my game, drop the stats in my notebook, and allow the suggestions from that data to mull around in my subconscious. This is my Tiny Habit:

“After I pull out my lunchbox at work, I’ll open my Traveller notebook and roll up one set of world data, say ‘Yes!’ to celebrate, and reward myself with my sandwich.”

What’s great is that my A6 notebook, my small pencil case containing dice and pencils, plus my Traveller Book 3 are all small enough to go in my work bag. In fact, I can keep it in my jacket pocket if necessary. It’s portable and accessible.

The process is simple too – simply roll 2D6 six times, modifying each roll using the formulas summarised on Book 3 page 12, and then roll 1D6 and modify that to get the Tech Level. After doing just five worlds – five repetitions of the rules – I can already follow the process with reference only to the summary.

In a month, at only one entry per day, I will have the subsector data completed. The chances are that I’ll do a few more on some days and speed the process along, but either way this is a nice achievable goal. Once I have the world data assembled, it’s easy to start creating rumours and Patrons to draw player characters in to the action.

Game on!