[Other] Star Trek Adventures: To Boldly Go

[Drachenspirit]

Game Name Star Trek Adventures: To Boldly Go

Game System Other Roleplaying Games

Theme A 5 year journey to seek out new life and new...

Flavour The year is 2371 - TNG Era

Plot Summary It's morning aboard a new Norway Class Star ship, The USS Tomoe Gozen, designation NCC 62643. Having completed trials two weeks ago, you accepted your assignment and left the Sol shipyards on the ship's maiden voyage a week ago. You are one of the senior officers on board with this newly assembled crew. The ship's course is currently headed to a point just beyond the Tzenkethi Coalition to slow its speed and begin its mission in this mostly uncharted area of space close to, and even entering the Gamma Quadrant.

The Game Your GM: I've been GMing/DMing games for over 25 years, and online play-by-post since 2001. I've RP'd in and GM'd several SCI-FI games during this time ( a few on this site) that include, BSG and Firefly Cortex Games, Mechwarrior, Star Wars d6 and d20, and most recently Traveller. I am not very familiar with this 2d20 system, but it has grown on me after I saw the free stuff and purchased the Core Rule book. # of Players: Accepting 6 players. Openings are for the following (only one character will be chosen per role): ROLE Description Commanding Officer (Captain of the ship) Executive Officer (or First officer, the captain’s second in-command. They may have other duties as well as serving as executive officer) Chief of Security/Chief Tactical Officer (head of the security department and responsible for the safety of the crew, also responsible for ship weaponry, defenses and tactics) Chief Medical Officer (responsible for the health and well-being of the crew) Operations Officer (responsible for ship’s operations, monitoring ship systems) Chief Engineer (maintains the functionality of the ship, assigning crew for repair and service) Chief Science Officer (head of the science department on the ship, responsible for analysis and research) Note: The one role not filled by one of the 6 chosen will be filled by an NPC. This will both allow and encourage other players to step in and take a supporting NPC character role for a short time during an encounter in which the Senior officer role not chosen may be needed. Lone wolf, or "Assassin" type characters will have no place on this crew. That said - Personalities, cultural differences, and character beliefs will clash and these things are what add to and enhance RP. In the end though, it all comes down to a respect for other players and their creations. Having just said that, I will say that good writing skills, story flow, and imagination will win out every time. Rulebook: I will be using the 'Star Trek Adventures Core Rule Book' published by Modiphus Entertainment. If you do not have this material, a quickstart guide can be obtained AT THIS LINK for free. Any other pertinent information needed to create a character, I can provide from the Core Rule book once the 6 applicants are chosen. Starting Level: Young, or Experienced Officer Time to Submit An Application: I'll keep this open until I at least have more than the # of apps needed for each role, or more likely, midnight CST on Saturday July 9th. This is just a guide, not in stone if interest is there. Posting Schedule/Frequency: I've tried to keep to a decent GM posting schedule, sort of a loose sliding window, and I'd say it works 20% of the time at best. So, I'll leave it up to the players that are accepted, but 7-8 days is usually the maximum time I'll agree to go between GM posts that are needed to move things along. I reserve the right to post more often for flavor and for one or more players doing something apart from others. However, If the players all post on a quicker schedule, I'll post as soon as I can to keep up. STORYLINE: It is an exciting time in Starfleet’s history — Earth Year 2371. The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D will be sent on a mission to the Amargosa observatory, U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656 is about to be sent on a mission into the Badlands to search for a Maquis ship, and the U.S.S. Defiant NX-74205 has been assigned to Commander Sisko at Deep Space 9 to assist in the search for the Dominion in the Gamma Quadrant. Elsewhere, the fragile peace with the Klingon Empire could be jeopardized. Ambassador Spock tries to bring reunification with Vulcans to the Romulans while the Romulans, in turn, plan to join with the Cardassians in a preemptive strike against the Dominion threat. You have been assigned to a starship but not - so far - caught up in the heart of these events. You have been sent on a different mission altogether — venturing into unexplored regions of space to make first contact with new civilizations or to chart spatial anomalies that could lead to new information and advances in the sciences. APPLICATIONS:   The mindset of this game is very real in the given setting. Good, no, great RP is highly encouraged and is the sole reason for this undertaking. That said, you'll need a "Beta test" mindset when it comes to the rules, and how the game will be governed by them. In short, I'm new to the system, but I like how it gives so much freedom to the players and GM, despite the shell of the rules which bind it together. Here's an example: You could make a decision to have your character do something. The GM may tell you that if you attempt action "A", then result "B" will happen. Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to decline the outcome, to which the GM will reply, that it is your character, and your decision, but declining the outcome means the result will either affect your character at a later time, impact an ability or something else, or possibly another character, NPC, or even an entire race. WHAT??! Yes. The further I read into the core rulebook, the more I would put it aside and think that's a stupid way to game. But, I was always intrigued. Having finally grasped (more or less) the overall concept, I like it. It's different and once you catch on, you see that it is truly about RP in the end. Oh, and you get to create Support characters on the fly if your main character isn't part of the main storyline. Again, WHAT?!. Yes, you can RP a redshirt that doesn't come back, or that Tube technician your main character has always passed in the corridor and wondered where they were going. Anyway, joining this game means you'll be learning on the fly and enjoying the experience in the Star Trek Verse. Are you up to the challenge? Species: You may only choose one of the following Species who were freely accepted into Starfleet at this stardate: Andorian, Bajoran, Betazoid, Denobulan, Human, Tellarite, Trill, or Vulcan. No others. Mixed-Heritage Characters: Many Starfleet Officers have parents from different species. To create characters of mixed-heritage, choose two species, one of which will be the primary species. The character is treated as a member of the primary species for attribute bonuses; most mixed-heritage characters take more after one parent than another. The character gains the species Traits of both parent species, and may select Talents from both parent species. CHARACTER CREATION: First, it'd be nice if you submit a picture of your liking that gives an idea of what your character looks like, but it isn't necessary. Second, those chosen will be completing and finalizing their character builds and sheets together as a team. Your application should include what is mentioned below. Application Template Use the Following Template for your character Submission:   NAME: SPECIES: AGE: Although there is no age requirement for Starfleet Academy, only an entrance exam, Young Officers with senior positions will be in their late 20s and Experienced officers will be in their early 30s (at a minimum) or older. RANK: Options are: Captain (only 1 on the ship), Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant, or Lieutenant JG (Junior Grade). ENVIRONMENT: Options are: Homeworld, Busy Colony, Isolated Colony, Frontier Colony, Starship or Starbase, Another Species' World. Note that each of these will give a character an additional value, and improve an Attribute and a Discipline based on the environment. UPBRINGING: Options are: Starfleet, Business or Trade, Agricultural or Rural, Science and Technology, Artistic and Creative, or Diplomacy and Politics. Note that each of these will give a character a Talent, possibly a Focus, and improve an Attribute and a Discipline based on the upbringing. PREFERRED ROLE: Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Chief of Security/Chief Tactical Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Operations Officer, Chief Engineer, or Chief Science Officer ASSIGNMENT: USS Tomoe Gozen NCC 62643 PRIMARY DISCIPLINES: These encompass the broad roles that Starfleet officers are expected to be proficient within. Choose two from the following to be higher ranked than the others: Command, Security, Science, Conn, Engineering, or Medicine. Discipline 1 Discipline 2 FOCUSES: These are defined as a narrower set of Disciplines, representing specialization and the kind of expertise that comes from deeper study and practical experience. They are not tied to any specific Discipline. You may create your own and you are encouraged to do so, or choose from one of the examples listed here.   Anthropology, Astronavigation, Astrophysics, Botany, Composure, Computers, Cybernetics, Diplomacy, Electro- Plasma Power Systems, Emergency Medicine, Espionage, EVA, Evasive Action, Exo-tectonics, Genetics, Geology, Hand Phasers, Hand-to-hand Combat, Helm Operations, Infectious Diseases, Infiltration, Interrogation, Linguistics, Persuasion, Philosophy, Physics, Psychiatry, Quantum Mechanics, Shipboard Tactical Systems, Small Craft, Spatial Phenomena, Survival, Transporters and Replicators, Trauma Surgery, Virology, Warp Field Dynamics, Xenobiology List 4-6 Focuses - - - - - - VALUES: These are similar to the Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws chosen in D&D 5E, but the difference is that you get to create them. Per the Core Rulebook : This is sometimes easier said than done: coming up with a suitable phrase on demand isn’t always easy, even for highly creative people. Thus, it’s recommended that, where a Player can’t come up with a Value for a certain stage, that they make a note that they need to determine a Value for that stage, and move on. The Player can go back and fill in that Value later, even leaving it until the very end of character creation, depending on when inspiration strikes.   Captain James T. Kirk has four Values, which define the core of his personality. These are “Doesn’t Believe in a No-Win Situation,” “There’s No Such Thing as The Unknown — Only the Temporarily Hidden,” “Married to the Enterprise” and “Risk is Our Business”. - - - - Brief Background/History: What you'll need to list here is a synopsis of your character's upbringing, entering/time at Starfleet, and their career until accepting the current assignment that includes mention of a 'Career Event.' If you feel compelled to include more, put it in a secret tag that includes the GM so it can come out and provide RP during the game.   NAME: Sexn Rozar SPECIES: Bajoran/Betazoid RANK: Captain ENVIRONMENT: Homeworld, Bajor UPBRINGING: Diplomacy and Politics ASSIGNMENT: USS Tomoe Gozen NCC 62643, Commanding Officer PRIMARY DISCIPLINES: Command, Security FOCUSES - Helm Operation - Inspiration - Team Dynamics - Small Craft: Ship Destroyed - Cheyenne Class, USS Ahwahnee (Wolf 359) - Shipboard Tactical Systems ( Conflict with Borg) - Starfleet Protocols VALUES - Relate to others through emotional perception - Serving the Greater Good is a Family Tradition - Insatiable Curiosity - Nothing better than practical experience Brief Background/History: Sexn was born into conflict on her homeworld of Bajor. Her mother is Betazoid, and her father Bajoran, both political interactors and resistance on Bajor until the occupation ended. Her mother always leaned towards the diplomatic approach, and was a Bajoran/Federation spy helping to thwart Bajor's occupiers, while her father was a well known, albeit less violent resistance leader. Her mother briefly left Bajor secretly when Sexn was in her teens as she started getting into the more violent part of the movement. Pulling strings, she got her daughter into Starfleet as a Betazoid species identifier with the promise from Sexn that she'd seek out her own destiny away from Bajor - at least until the occupation ended. Involved years later in the Battle of Wolf 359, she was one of the few survivors that fought until the Borg moved off and she then moved on to rescue operations. Taking command in combat is what got her decorated and moved quickly into Command. This is her first command as Captain.

List of Questions and Answers Q & A Given the unique nature of the application process for This game, are we limited to only a Single Application, or could we also include a "Secondary" application as a sort of a "backup" in a different position? Answer: No, but do not submit more than two and keep them in the same post thread with a clear division as to which is which. Could we list a Secondary Role for our application that would still fit the character? Example: Primary Role - Executive Officer, Secondary - Chief Security/Tactical Officer? Answer: Yes. Are there any benefits/drawbacks to playing as a certain species? Answer: Yes, there are certain benefits and possibly a drawback to playing a certain species. Each Species gets attribute bonuses, A trait bonus, and two talents to choose from that only that species has access to. An example of a drawback would be how Andorians and vulcans don't always get along due to past history, or how a Bajoran would tend to be hostile to a Cardassian. You will not be locked in to a Species choice if you are accepted into the game. That said, the "idea" and "concept" of your character would likely fit better in one or more species than others. I'm looking for characters that aren't defined by their race so much as shaped by it to some degree. It doesn't sum up who they are, just adds to it and possibly takes away from it at times (depending on others points of view). How does character creation work, exactly? Or should we only worry about what you asked for in the application section? Answer: Character creation goes through a process somewhat like Traveller, but not as intensive. You may do a full character creation, but it isn't necessary and won't give an advantage to having your character chosen Are you allowing Homebrew? Answer:Sorry. No, I am not. I sticking to the core rule book for this first time out as a GM of this system. Is there an online Character Creation Tool?: Answer: Yes. Here is the link to an online tool. It is not required to have a fully created character. Should we put our desired rank/station posting in our application? Or can we create a character as we like, and depending on how you view the application, thanks for the flattery Almighty GM, then if they are accepted, they'll be sorted into a position that you think is a good fit? Answer: You can just put "Any" if you like and that's fine with me. Truth be told, once I do narrow it down towards the deadline, I'll be ignoring the preferred role at first. If there's competition for a role, I'll discuss with potentials about other roles, or it's even possible, that I may - given the adventures/campaign ahead - think a character is better suited to be in another role for the best interests of the crew. If this is the case, I'll discuss with players at that time.

List of Applicants

PLAYER	CHARACTER	SPECIES	PREFERRED ROLE	APP COMPLETE?	NOTES	RP Sample added?
Saratek	Revan	Vulcan	Chief of Security/Tactical Officer	Yes	Feedback given	yes
FatherDondo	Caratacus	Denobulan	Chief Medical Officer (Ops Officer as backup)	Yes	Feedback Given	withdrawn
GleefulNihilism	Navran Paix	Trill (Joined)	Chief Medical Officer	Yes	Feedback Given	Yes
Valentha	Lynette Ryan	Human	Chief Engineer	Yes	Feedback Given	yes
Acathala	Vren Azonan	Andorian	Captain	Yes	Feedback Pending	Yes
PalladiaMors	Jessica Bailey	Human	Captain	Yes	Feedback Given	Yes
daveron	Shranval "LT Val" th'Shonthoth	Andorian/Vulcan	XO, Ops, Security, other	Yes	Feedback Given	Yes
Ghost6442	Pollyanna Morgane Esther	Andorian/Human	Chief of Security/Chief Tactical Officer	Yes	Feedback Pending	Yes
RossN	Vara Rix	Trill (joined)	Chief of Security/Chief Tactical Officer	Yes	Feedback Pending	Yes
Mitsubachi	Sunita Kushani	Human	Science Officer	Yes	Feedback Pending	yes

[GleefulNihilism]

Tentative Interest. Let me see what I think of for a character.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by GleefulNihilism

Tentative Interest. Let me see what I think of for a character.

Awesome. Take your time.

[Mitsubachi]

Yoink!

[BattleFries]

Very interested! Putting this here just to mark interest and subscribe to the thread! Will look at the rules and get to work on an application in due time. ^_^

[Saratek]

Posting Interest. Unsure what role I'll be vying for at this time.

I will be applying with a candidate for the Chief of Security/Tactical Officer. At the moment I'm thinking Vulcan with how the character is forming in my mind.

[BattleFries]

Out of curiosity, are there any benefits/drawbacks to playing as a certain species? And how does character creation work, exactly? I couldn't find that info in the documents you linked us to, but it is entirely possible that I missed them somewhere. Or should we only worry about what you asked for in the application section? On the one hand, I have a character concept, but I'm not sure if choosing a certain species/specialization/etc. will impact the gameplay in a way that I might want to avoid.

Apologies if I'm jumping the gun. Hoping all is well with you, Almighty GM! ^_^

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Mitsubachi

EDIT: Updated application. SCIENCE OFFICER

Mitsubachi,
Could you put your app in the template form I've given, hiding everything that isn't listed in secret tags, and showing all else?
Also, once you've done that I'll give feedback.
Thanks,
And... does this mean you have the Core rule book???
- D

[Hotshot lasgun]

drachenspirit, are you allowing homebrew from this site? id love to play a freed borg tactical officer

https://continuingmissionsta.com/species-index/

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by BattleFries

Out of curiosity, are there any benefits/drawbacks to playing as a certain species? And how does character creation work, exactly? I couldn't find that info in the documents you linked us to, but it is entirely possible that I missed them somewhere. Or should we only worry about what you asked for in the application section? On the one hand, I have a character concept, but I'm not sure if choosing a certain species/specialization/etc. will impact the gameplay in a way that I might want to avoid.

Apologies if I'm jumping the gun. Hoping all is well with you, Almighty GM! ^_^

Character creation goes through a process somewhat like Traveller, but not as intensive. And yes, there are certain benefits and possibly a drawback to playing a certain species. Each Species gets attribute bonuses, A trait bonus, and two talents to choose from that only that species has access to. An example of a drawback would be how Andorians and vulcans don't always get along due to past history, or how a Bajoran would tend to be hostile to a Cardassian.
You will not be locked in to a Species choice if you are accepted into the game. That said, the "idea" and "concept" of your character would likely fit better in one or more species than others. I'm looking for characters that aren't defined by their race so much as shaped by it to some degree. It doesn't sum up who they are, just adds to it and possibly takes away from it at times (depending on others points of view). Hope that makes sense.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Hotshot lasgun

drachenspirit, are you allowing homebrew from this site? id love to play a freed borg tactical officer

https://continuingmissionsta.com/species-index/

Sorry. No, I am not. I sticking to the core rule book for this first time out as a GM of this system.

[Hotshot lasgun]

no worries, just checking

have fun with your game

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Mitsubachi

OK, done. Sorry - I thought you would like to see the whole character.

I don't have the core book but have played the game and am familiar with the mechanics. There is a neat (and legit!) online tool for generating characters which is quite fun to use - you make the choices and it offers the associated focuses/talents as you go along.

Mitsy

Given your familiarity, I would like to see the whole character, just know that it won't give you an advantage over those not so familiar with the System.

Also, can you remove the secret tag around the application?

Can you also reply with that link?
Thanks.
- D

[Acathala]

I'm actually fairly tempted to throw up an app given you seem to be avoiding Kurtzman trek.

[GleefulNihilism]

Strange New Worlds is actually quite good. Just sayin’.