I've decided that a good way to start the New Year is with a Theme Issue;
in fact, I'd like to do Theme Issues more often than I have in the past. I
have some themes lined up, but I'm definitely willing to listen to
suggestions for Theme Issues from the Traveller Community At Large.

In the mean time, I've decided that I'd like to start with the Compassion
Corps* theme (see my original posting "Proposed Theme Issue: Medical
Charity" and the resulting thread, 23 Sep 2018), if I can gather enough
material.

* I have deliberately avoided using the well-recognized names "Doctors
Without Borders"/"Médecins Sans Frontières" and "Mercy Ships" due to
trademark issues; while the idea behind this issue is to (favorably)
highlight the Traveller-era versions of these organizations, it is best to
assume that they would not take kindly to unauthorized use of their names
or symbols, even if such use does not cast disrepute on the organizations.

There's room for several types of articles in such a theme issue, for
example...

ADVENTURES (ACTIVE MEASURES)

I have the half-seed posted to that thread by Cian, but xi never finished
it for me (would you please, Cian?), but I'd like additional material - and
full adventures, not just "Getting off the Ground" seeds, would be great!
(That's not to say that I'm _rejecting_ the half-seed; if Cian finishes it,
I'll post it, _too_. Ditto any other GotG seeds submitted.) Note that an
adventure doesn't have to focus on the medical aspects of the visit; the CC
will also help design and implement a locally-sustainable medical
infrastructure/establishment that conforms to restrictive societal mores
(e.g., regarding technology). Also, see the footnote to CAREERS, below;
maybe there's an issue in dealing with non-humans...

SHIPS (THE SHIPYARD)

I have the small-craft posted to that thread by Edward, but full Starships
of Succor would also be welcome, from the emergency-refit Type-R that Cian
mentions in xir half-seed to repurposed decommissioned military ships to
purpose-built ships.

STORIES (RACONTEURS' REST)

Stories can be from the point of view of [a member of] a Compassionate
Corps Response team, [a member of] a CC Evaluation team, or [a member of] a
community in need, either trying to convince the Evaluation team to approve
the visit, or during an actual visit. Note that a story doesn't have to be
a medical procedural, or focus on the medical aspects of the visit; the CC
will also help design and implement a locally-sustainable medical
infrastructure/establishment that conforms to restrictive societal mores
(e.g., regarding technology). (... am I repeating myself?)

CAREERS (DOING IT MY WAY)

Any society will have its idealists who place the good of Ramanity** over
personal gain. Some of them will choose to go into the Compassionate Corps
in whatever capacity they are most suited for; others will start in other
careers and "see the light" somewhere along the line, and switch over. What
does a career in the Compassionate Corps look like? Write it!

**Ramanity - analogous to Humanity/Humaniti, except applicable to all
sophonts, not just those evolved from primates on Terra and then moved (or
not) by the Ancients. The word is a coinage based on the definition of
"Raman" in Orson Scott Card's "Hierarchy of Foreignness" from his
Enderverse novels _Speaker_for_the_Dead_ and _Xenocide_.

ARTWORK (MULTIMEDIA GALLERY)

Obviously, any of the above can be illustrated; additionally, standalone
pictures for the Multimedia Gallery would be welcome - pictures of CC
personnel, their vehicles and starships, their equipment, and so on. I'd be
interested in your thoughts about what the CC symbol is, as well (but my
comment above about DWB/MSF and Mercy Ships also applies to the Red Cross,
Red Crescent, and Red Crystal).

EQUIPMENT (IN A STORE NEAR YOU, including THE SHOWROOM and HANDLE WITH
CARE)

The CC can hardly operate without supplies and equipment, from bandages to
emergency low berths, from helicopters or hovercraft to portable hospitals,
and so on. Some of it may require special handling, too (drugs, abusable
and non-?). Write it up!

CHARACTERS (UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL)

Profiles of the people who make up the CC are also welcome; they have their
own stories to tell, and might be good contacts for player-characters to
have (or might be patrons who need the PCs' help). Who are they? Tell me!

ANYTHING ELSE

If you can think of something not covered in the above, write it anyway,
and send it in! Maybe I can figure out where it actually fits - or maybe it
will open up an idea for an entirely new section. The point is, though,
that it's material for the Theme Issue, which is what I'm after, here!

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