Posts in a Trek game need to be structured, else things quickly devolve into chaos. Therefore, I ask that you follow some guidelines.

First, start every post off with the date, location, and the time (in 24 hour, or military, format). We will be using "actual" dates insted of true stardates, as stardates are much more difficult for the casual player to keep up with. You will hear Captain Drake reference these in character, however. If anyone cares, our trek tools page include a stardate calculator.

Your post header should look something like this:

Stardate: 2365.02.12
USS Peregrine, Main Engineering - 1615

The beginning of a post goes here...

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The very nature of a Trek game - with everyone working independently - means that there will always be several storylines going at once. If we wait for one another, the game will almost immediately become so mired down that we won't be able to continue. By giving our posts headers, we're able to back post, change scenes, etc, without too much confusion.

Please stay on the same mission day, except when backposting. In other words, if the rest of the ship is on day three, the CSO doesn't need to be sharing the discoveries he makes on day five. It's okay to go back and post a conversation you might have missed, but don't go ahead. The Captain's main function is to keep the story as organized as possible - we do this by regulating mission dates.

Be creative. Improvise. Add wrinkles to the plot. It's perfectly acceptable for the chief engineer to suddenly report a problem with the transporters just as we're about to visit a planet's surface. Maybe he'll need to fix it, or maybe the need for us to go is so pressing that we're forced to take shuttles.

If there's a problem on the table, don't be afraid to come up with solutions. If you have any doubts or questions, post here in the Q&A thread, PM me directly, or email me.

Please, by all means, create NPCs as needed. If you're the chief of security, you'll obviously need security personnel to flesh out your duty roster. We won't be having twenty people playing those roles, so you'll need to create them.

There's no need to go so far as to create a bio for most of them, but if you plan to use them in a recurring role, it wouldn't be a bad idea.


Now, then... don't be that creative! Don't "God mode" - i.e., don't play your character in such a way that he solves every problem without help, knows the answer to every question, never has any trouble, etc. Share the spotlight - everyone deserves a chance to contribute on the missions. Don't control someone else's NPC without conferring with them first.

Never, ever control another person's main character.  It's okay to make reasonable assumptions, but post them as such. This is bad:

Captain Drake nodded to Commander BillyBob. "So commander, what is your plan?" he asked. The commander paused for a moment, then spoke, "Captain, we should fire up the xyz in order to make the abc work correctly."

In this case, I'm posting the commander's intentions and speech for him. No, no no.

Better:

Captain Drake nodded to Commander BillyBob. "So, commander, what is your plan?" he asked.

OOC: assuming BillyBob shares the plan...

Drake nodded again. "Carry on," he stated.

I'm reacting to what I anticipate the answer to be, but giving myself edit room if it happens differently than I expect. I am not controlling the commander.


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Format your posts.

This is a writing intensive game, and we all have different styles of posting. That's fine, but we want some standards, so that no one is confused.

Speech should always be included in quotes.

"How are you doing today, ensign?" Drake asked.

No bold, no other colors. Just quotes.

Internal throughts should be italicized.

Why does he keep blathering on? his players wondered.

Communictions via a communicator or other device is set aside with a special symbol.

Captain Drake keyed the intercom. "Drake to engineering."

=/= Engineering, Thompson here. =/=

"Thompson?" Silas asked. "Where is Commander Kennedy?"

There was a moment's hesitation before the reply.

=/= Commander Kennedy is a little... preoccupied right now, sir. =/=

Computer speech uses this same notation. It might seem cumbersome at first, but this makes the posts so much easier to read!

"Oh, great.  Another Star Trek fleet," you say.  "Let me guess - I get to start off as a cadet, maybe an ensign somewhere... and you probably want me to complete some hokey training or whatever, right?  If I play well enough for some subjective standards over the period of months - or years - I might get promoted, maybe actually impact the storyline one day."

This sort of thing may be true in some fleets; Draconis Fleet doesn't work like that.  Everyone is welcome to come play!  If the GM for your game likes your concept, you can be a department head from day one - maybe even executive officer of your sim.  Or, if you like, you are absolutely free to start your own sim right now.

Star Trek: Draconis Fleet is simply our way to have the multiple affiliated Star Trek sims here at the Red Dragon Inn operate in a similar manner, within one given continuity, under a common set of guidelines.  This rules/FAQ post is here for all sims to refer to, and allows players familiar with our rules here to seamlessly step into other games.

Please do understand that these rules are intended to serve as a guideline.  As should always be the case in any game, your particular GM has the final word as to how any rule is applied, interpreted, or ignored in their own game. 

Please bookmark this thread and feel free to refer back to it at any point, link to it from your game, etc.

Star Trek: Draconis Fleet games at the Red Dragon Inn are done as "moderated freeform".  In other words, your GM (who usually fills the role of the Commanding Officer of your sim's ship or starbase) will lay out the main plot points of the story.  The various player characters each contribute to the story from their character's point of view.  Players are free to introduce side plots and details, though it is always good form to check with your GM to be sure that your ideas are okay (if you bring in a Borg invasion when the storyline is around a First Contact mission, your GM will be justifyably upset). 

Feel free to have your character be a hero of the story.  However, it's no fun for anyone if one character is always THE hero of the story.  Seek team solutions.  Collaborate with others.  Don't hog the spotlight!

In general, you control your player character fully.  It is never okay to post actions for another character or to put words in their mouths without the approval of that player.  You can reasonably assume that other PCs will follow orders, but it's still a good idea to give them a chance to respond, make comments, etc.  The OOC (out of character) tag is ideal for this.  Example:

"Lieutenant, put together an AWAY team and meet me in the transporter room in five minutes," said Commander Smith. 

OOC: assuming there is no issue

Smith checked his own sidearm and headed for the turbolift. 

Now, even the most populated Star Trek sim typically only sees PCs in the role of a small percentage of the crew members aboard a given ship (let alone, space station).  The remainder of the beings aboard are NPCs (which may or may not be populated on your sim's roster).  It is common for players to control NPCs - most often, junior officers or enlisted personnel within their own department.  If your GM allows, you may also have NPCs in other departments. 

Much like with other people's PCs, it is never cool to control someone else's NPC without checking with that player first.

Table of Contents (click a link to jump to that section)

1. Post formatting
2. Rank info and such
3. Chain of command
4. Game resources
5. Typical roles and their duties
6. Notes on the Star Trek: Draconis setting
7. How to join Draconis Fleet

Gld you enjoyed it.  You are more than welcome to keep playing with us in the next installment!

Post is up.

Stardate 2365.02.18
Starbase 118, Auditorium Two - 09:06

"Your honor, the defense would like to introduce an additional piece of evidence."  The words of Drake's advocate rang across the closed courtroom, causing more than a few sideways glances and whispered comments. 

"What sort of evidence?" asked the presiding judge - a swarthy, broad-shouldered human male.

Lieutenant Billings stood, ramrod straight.  While she certainly could not have much experience with capital cases, the younger woman was clearly more than capable, and likely viewed this case as the sort of thing to add as a feather to her career's cap.  The older admiral had insisted on Billings, and Silas could see why.  "Your honor," she spoke, holding up a PADD, "this contains documentation from Admiral Veresh, in the office of the Judge Advocate General.  It seems that the JAG office has come into possession of various computer recordings, ship to ship communications, and log entries from key officers aboard both the USS Peregrine and USS Coronado.  These items will clearly demonstrate that Commander Drake did everything in his power to follow the letter of the law as it applied to the Gamera mission, that Captain Jacobs refused to consider obvious evidence as to the composition of the actual threat to the peace process, and that Commander Drake had no choice but to take the actions that he did in order not only preserve the success of the peace summit and to protect the interests of the Federation, but to save lives."

Joshua Jacobs, seated alongside the Prosecutor, leapt to his feet, face purple with rage.  The Prosecutor held a hand out, desperate to silence the Captain.  "Your honor, the prosecution must object!  This data has not been presented to us for proper vetting, and as you are well aware, Starfleet Intelligence has already removed these sort of recordings and marked them as classified.  It would not be proper for them to be introduced into..."

The judge held up his hand.  "Be silent.  I find it irregular enough that Starfleet Intelligence has taken these measures and refused to respond to requests from this inquiry; I will hardly ignore applicable evidence directed to this court from the Judge Advocate General.  The evidence will be heard."

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=/=

"Captain," Drake spoke, "I must insist that you stop this madness at once. I will not allow you to press this ill advised attack on innocents."

Jacobs snorted. "I honestly do not care what you insist, Mister Drake. This attack run will happen with or without you; there is nothing that you can do to prevent it."

Iron in his voice, Drake responded. "Captain Joshua Jacobs, I find your judgment to be critically impaired to the point of endangering our mission. By the authority invested in me by the United Federation of Planets, I hereby remove you from command of this mission. You will stand down at once and await further instructions. Please do not force me to place Commander Farr in command of your vessel, as well."

=/=

Silas sat silently as the communication was replayed.

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=/=

"You filthy piece of dog s***!" Jacobs spat.  "You treacherous bastard! When this is over, I will hang you myself!"

"Captain Joshua Jacobs," Silas spoke aloud in a measured, almost disinterested tone, "as lawful commander of this battle group, I hereby find you unfit for duty.  You are relieved of command of the USS Coronado, effective immediately.  Commander Bethany Farr will now assume command of your vessel.  My phasers are locked onto your own; if you do not comply, I will render your weapons useless.  If that is not sufficient incentive to ensure your acquiescence, I will move on from there to cripple your engines."

 "You wouldn't dare!" Jacobs shouted.  "Even your treason does not run this deep!  Our shields are down, thanks to you!  If you fire on this vessel, you will surely kill Starfleet personnel!" 

"You are correct, Captain...", Drake responded dispassionately, "and I will regret each and every one of their deaths for the short remainder of my own life.  But you leave me no choice.  I cannot allow you to harm my own personnel, nor can I allow you to kill innocent Kuldarians."  His voice deadly calm, he continued. "You have ten seconds to comply."

=/=

Silas was mute as the damning words were repeated. 

Oh, there was more - Tochi's own logs (the spotted bastard had disobeyed Drake's direct orders, it would seem); communications between the XOs of the two ships.  Notes and recordings from Chief Engineer McTavish, dating back to his time under Jacobs.  Tactical readouts, including the intelligence that the Peregrine had sent, that Jacobs had ignored.  The prosecution tried to object a time or two more, but the judge shut it down immediately. 

Eventually, it was all said and done.  There was no questioning the authenticity of the recordings.  Silas was cross examined, but there was little relevant to add. 

-------------------------------------------------

The brass who served as the General Court Martial board deliberated for less than an hour. Presently, they filed in to the makeshift courtroom and took their places on the dais.  Besides the judge, there were four admirals and one commodore... none of which even glanced at the accused.  Jacobs, who had sat with a smug grin for so much or the trial, was unreadable.

Once everyone was seated, the judge asked aloud, "Has the panel reached a verdict?"

The closest figure to the judge, a female human admiral with short brown hair, nodded.  "We have, your honor."

The judge spoke solemnly.  "Very well.  The accused will rise."

Silas took his feet beside his council.  He expected to feel butterflies, to feel fear.  Instead, he felt... empty. 

"Please announce the verdict," the judge spoke.

The woman cleared her throat.  "For the three charges of conduct unbecoming an officer," she said, her voice growing stronger as she spoke, "we find the defendant guilty on two of them.

For the charge of failure to obey a direct order, we find the defendant guilty."

She paused for a moment.  "However, we find that the order in question was, in fact, illegal, and we recommend that this charge be vacated."

After a moment, she continued down the list.  "For the two charges of high treason, we find the defendant not guilty.

For the charge of incitement of a mutiny, we find the defendant not guilty.

For the charge of piracy against a Starfleet vessel, endangering the lives of Federation personnel, we find the defendant not guilty."

Incredibly, Silas realized that his advocate was actually smiling - broadly, at that. 

The judge nodded.  "Starfleet thanks the panel for their service.  Please be seated."

He then turned to face Drake. 

"Commander Drake, you have been found guilty on minor charges by a jury of your peers.  Do you have anything to say before I pass sentencing?"

Silas spoke huskily, "No, your honor.  I do not."

The judge tilted his head in acknowledgement.  "Very well.  Silas James Drake, you and your crew faced an incredibly difficult situation and found yourselves torn between a very clear conflict between what was right and what was legal.  A lesser man would have taken solace in the protection of the chain of command and followed his orders without question... and in doing so, the peace would have been prevented, the Federation's interests would have been damaged, and lives would have been lost.  Instead, you found the courage to take actions that our regulations did not, could not cover.  You found a way to do the right thing, at great personal risk.  To act in the spirit of the regulations when no written regulations truly applied."

The judge actually chuckled.  "Now, then.  I hereby accept the Review Board's recommendation to vacate the charge of refusal to obey a direct order.  But son... you cannot threaten death on non Federation subjects that refuse to follow your lead.  For this conduct unbecoming an officer, I hereby reprimand you, Commander Silas James Drake.  "

Stunned, Silas found himself speechless. 

"Furthermore," the judge continued, "I want to be the first to tell you - the Review Board has nominated you to receive the Legion of Merit.  Starfleet could use more officers like you; congratulations, Commander."

Drake stammered.  "Th... thank you, sir."

The judge smiled widely.  "You are to report to the USS Peregrine and resume command at once.  You are dismissed, and this Court Martial is adjourned."

A grinning Billings shook Drake's hand as he numbly made his way out into the corridor.  Just as he left the auditorium, he heard one of the Review Board admirals speak up.  "Stop right there, Captain Jacobs.  You have some items to answer for."

One post up.  Nothing crazy this time...

Midge dug through the papers himself, but can glean no more from the fragments than did Kithran.  The diminuitve mage kept a special lookout for any sort of arcane texts, but while a mage such as this surely must have owned a spellbook at the least - if not sundry magical scrolls - he can find nothing of the sort to have survived the fire. 

Eventually, the search was given up, and the party returned to the Nicked Shill.  The road still reeked from the burnt carcasses of the dead; it was a mistake to glance at the pile of burned bodies, for several of those that belonged to the freshy dead were not only blackened outside, but split open, revealing the pink flesh inside, like some awful parody of sausages left too long to grill.  The unnatural mist hung heavy and oppressive over the town.

Once at the Inn, Gib and Kith moved to check Davena's room, while Ch'dau inquires of Nya.  The priest and rogue found literally nothing of interest; it would appear that whatever belongings that the woman might have had were taken with her, save one lone exception - a piece of lacy smallclothing was apparently kicked under the bed at some point in prior evening.  There was no other sign of the woman, however.

Nya herself had little to offer.  The woman and her bodyguard arrived a half  hour or so before the party did the night before; they rented a room, paid in good Ertainian coin, and the serving wench had no idea when they might have left. 

Inquiries around the village likewise prove fruitless.  The night was dark, and the horror of having the dead crawl from their graves and attempt to drag the living into their own prove to be far too preoccupying of a topic for anyone to give much care to a pair of travelers intent on keeping to themselves.  Neithr villager nor watchman can seem to recall seeing either of the pair during the previous night at any point after the blond woman retired to the room with Aranwen.

Soon enough, the weary party finds noon arriving.  Regrouping at the Inn, they sit for a meal to rejoin the now rested Cedric. 

The opening post has a typo.  The date is 2364, aka right around the end of season one/start of season two of Star Trek: the Next Generation.

It is tomorrow.

Post coming today.

Scrap heap. 

No breebles post yet?  Whaaa? 

Paging Bud, breebles...

I plan to post today.  This may be the fina one for me in this game.

New week, new update... let's see some posts, Citizens!

I think that Keeper of Dragons is going to take over the role of Midge. 

I will probably NPC the actions today and bump the story forward.

Well, the basic idea is that the's a cidal (halfling) conjurer.  He belongs to the Circle of Arcane Englightenment - specifically, to the Walkers of the Planes - which is the mage guild in our setting.  He carries a staff sling. 

I can shoot you his character sheet; you may want to read along with the game to get a feel for him.

Looks like Ayrn is out for the forseeable future as Midge the halfling mage. 

Would anyone like to pick up this role?

It's the truth.

Fudgesicle. 

Bromern in an A+++ player.  Good luck finding anyone better!

Haha... I'm jealous, and he's already in my game!

So really, I'd just like to know Ayrn's take.  I hate to move the party from a dead wizard's house without consideration from the party wizard.

Yep.  Ops is a great role (Data from TNG was the Ops officer), but it's also easy to NPC.  "Captain, sensors indicate X.  Captain, we are being hailed..."

So you need, for sure, at least one major science type (ideally two, if I'm reading your post right), a chief tactical officer is pencilneck doesn't want that, a helmlsman (chief flight control), and a chief ops officer. 

I mean, you can NPC some, but if you had your druthers, that's where you'd be.  Yes?

Yeah, you're thinking of Tracking.  Helps you ID footprints, much more subte signs of passage, etc.  Hunting is more about finding and killing game. 

Even a really experienced Tracker would have a tough time with this, though.  You're talking about ground that is covered literally every day, many times over, by people going in and out of the Inn.  Finding a specific pair of footprints would be like searching for a needle in a stack of needles.

Two votes for "find out", one for "nah", one for "zzzzzzz".

Need to know re: Ayrn and breebles. 

How do you plan to search for Davena and Gorn, if that is what the group decides to do?

Court martials take time, y'know.

I plan to post yet again today.