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jackIt would obviously make much more sense to use a system I'm already familiar with, but the ones I _am_ familiar with just don't seem appropriate.
There is a (very good) GURPS Vorkosigan setting, which actually has some feedback from Lois, at least on the images of the characters, which are much much more evocative than anything else I've seen (even if they're not exactly how I saw them), and probably other things as well. It took ages to publish, but this was apparently actually _not_ anyone's fault, but due to GURPS 4.0 and some other things, and the author and Jackson (?) tried really hard to get it finished and into print, and it obviously shows a lot of attention to detail.
On the other hand, I think that detailed GURPS rules for exactly what all the weapons, armour, minor points of idiosyncratic planetary law, etc, are capable of are less useful than getting a share consensus at the time between the players.
Come to think of it, battles between plasma cannon and plasma shields do involve "shoot up to N times and then you're dead", just like Hit Points, so for a full military battle you could use a hit-point based system. But I think that most of the time it's more valuable to have a "you dash for cover .. roll.. you're lucky .. take a pot-shot .. roll .. you miss ... dash for more cover .. roll .. you get grazed, your leg is burned .. take a pot-shot .. you hit, he's disabled." system. (Together with an understanding that a valuable character has a good chance of recovering medically, but borrowing the Dogs in the Vineyard conceit that characters are _expected_ to retire.)
On the other hand, obviously you should have much much more experience before trying to use an ad-hoc set of rules. But hey, I'm arrogant like that.
Sample characters.
Miles.
Excellent: Persuading people things are a good idea, command presence
Excellent: Tactics.
Good: general mercenary training.
Good: drains
Trait: Pathological compulsion to rescue people
Trait: Reviled for mutation on Barrayar
Trait: Will always make smart comments to captors and superiors.
Trait: Will have seizures at worst moments. (Or, earlier in the timeline, bones will break under physical violence. Also, at any point, weird reactions most of the time when he takes drugs.)
Trait: Babbles hyperactively on fast penta.
Trait: Wants to do everything himself
Trait: Keeps his word.
Trait: Fall into black suicidal depression when things go very wrong.
Character history and relationships: As in books.
Note that Miles is a very very complex character. I think it possible but difficult for someone to portray Miles. He'd be better as an NPC, but possible to have him and a small team of others. (Aral and Gregor probably can't be included in a campaign without arranging to have it be alternate history.) But if someone does think they can play Miles, I think these characteristics should be agreed mostly in advance, with the final decision going to that player.
Other existing characters will be simpler, and include fewer extreme competencies and fewer drawback traits, and new characters simpler still. There is no effort to weight the competencies and traits, the players agree what seems reasonable to make a balanced team, with final say going to the GM.
Taura
Excellent: Strength
Excellent: Intimidation.
Good: Hand-to-hand combat
Good: Weapons
Good: Other mercenary training, and being a sergeant.
Trait: Fangs. Generally looks monstrous. Will evoke fear and anger on Barrayar.
Trait: Very very high metabolism, eats 4x a normal person
Trait: Loves Miles.
Trait: Sensitive about appearance.
Trait: (Different people might add a couple of different traits here.)
History: As in books.
Ada
Excellent: Computer stuff.
Good: Other engineering.
Good: Other mercenary training.
Good: Sprinting.
Trait: Insatiably curious, will poke things.
Trait: Hates plasma weapons, will use needler or even nerve disruptor in preference.
Trait: Will overcompensate and generally fire first in an uncertain situation
Trait: Dramatic blue haircut, will provoke hostile/weary reactions from Barrayarans.
History: Dendarii tech, good friend of Taura.
Lady Vortaakes
Excellent: Worming information out of people
Good: Hand-to-hand combat
Good: Talking her way out of trouble.
Good: Knowledge of Barrayaran politics/economics
Good: Cooking.
Trait: Some weapons training, but won't hit anything the first time under stress.
Trait: Will flirt with male military officers
Trait: Will lecture whenever something she knows about comes up
Trait: Obviously a lady, Barrayarans will be polite
History: Unofficial impsec domestic agent; primed for galactic adventures instead.
There is a (very good) GURPS Vorkosigan setting, which actually has some feedback from Lois, at least on the images of the characters, which are much much more evocative than anything else I've seen (even if they're not exactly how I saw them), and probably other things as well. It took ages to publish, but this was apparently actually _not_ anyone's fault, but due to GURPS 4.0 and some other things, and the author and Jackson (?) tried really hard to get it finished and into print, and it obviously shows a lot of attention to detail.
On the other hand, I think that detailed GURPS rules for exactly what all the weapons, armour, minor points of idiosyncratic planetary law, etc, are capable of are less useful than getting a share consensus at the time between the players.
Come to think of it, battles between plasma cannon and plasma shields do involve "shoot up to N times and then you're dead", just like Hit Points, so for a full military battle you could use a hit-point based system. But I think that most of the time it's more valuable to have a "you dash for cover .. roll.. you're lucky .. take a pot-shot .. roll .. you miss ... dash for more cover .. roll .. you get grazed, your leg is burned .. take a pot-shot .. you hit, he's disabled." system. (Together with an understanding that a valuable character has a good chance of recovering medically, but borrowing the Dogs in the Vineyard conceit that characters are _expected_ to retire.)
On the other hand, obviously you should have much much more experience before trying to use an ad-hoc set of rules. But hey, I'm arrogant like that.
Sample characters.
Miles.
Excellent: Persuading people things are a good idea, command presence
Excellent: Tactics.
Good: general mercenary training.
Good: drains
Trait: Pathological compulsion to rescue people
Trait: Reviled for mutation on Barrayar
Trait: Will always make smart comments to captors and superiors.
Trait: Will have seizures at worst moments. (Or, earlier in the timeline, bones will break under physical violence. Also, at any point, weird reactions most of the time when he takes drugs.)
Trait: Babbles hyperactively on fast penta.
Trait: Wants to do everything himself
Trait: Keeps his word.
Trait: Fall into black suicidal depression when things go very wrong.
Character history and relationships: As in books.
Note that Miles is a very very complex character. I think it possible but difficult for someone to portray Miles. He'd be better as an NPC, but possible to have him and a small team of others. (Aral and Gregor probably can't be included in a campaign without arranging to have it be alternate history.) But if someone does think they can play Miles, I think these characteristics should be agreed mostly in advance, with the final decision going to that player.
Other existing characters will be simpler, and include fewer extreme competencies and fewer drawback traits, and new characters simpler still. There is no effort to weight the competencies and traits, the players agree what seems reasonable to make a balanced team, with final say going to the GM.
Taura
Excellent: Strength
Excellent: Intimidation.
Good: Hand-to-hand combat
Good: Weapons
Good: Other mercenary training, and being a sergeant.
Trait: Fangs. Generally looks monstrous. Will evoke fear and anger on Barrayar.
Trait: Very very high metabolism, eats 4x a normal person
Trait: Loves Miles.
Trait: Sensitive about appearance.
Trait: (Different people might add a couple of different traits here.)
History: As in books.
Ada
Excellent: Computer stuff.
Good: Other engineering.
Good: Other mercenary training.
Good: Sprinting.
Trait: Insatiably curious, will poke things.
Trait: Hates plasma weapons, will use needler or even nerve disruptor in preference.
Trait: Will overcompensate and generally fire first in an uncertain situation
Trait: Dramatic blue haircut, will provoke hostile/weary reactions from Barrayarans.
History: Dendarii tech, good friend of Taura.
Lady Vortaakes
Excellent: Worming information out of people
Good: Hand-to-hand combat
Good: Talking her way out of trouble.
Good: Knowledge of Barrayaran politics/economics
Good: Cooking.
Trait: Some weapons training, but won't hit anything the first time under stress.
Trait: Will flirt with male military officers
Trait: Will lecture whenever something she knows about comes up
Trait: Obviously a lady, Barrayarans will be polite
History: Unofficial impsec domestic agent; primed for galactic adventures instead.