[ Simming Guide ]

 

Guide	Explanation
Killing Another Character:	Any post that contains inferences or direct statements involving the destruction of an existing Playing Character or an NPC that another member created WILL NOT be tolerated and the post will be dismissed unless the author has granted permission.
Plot Twists:	Character development is always welcome, as are plot twists and drama changes where available and if believable. Dramatic plot twists and/or changes should first be run past the GM for approval.
Utilize Current Players:	Player Characters are to be acknowledged when available. If you are in need of a Doctor, and there is a PC Doctor, do not go to an NPC Doctor to avoid the PC Doctor so that you can avoid interaction or make things go your way. This violates the two biggest reasons for the sim, which are Character Interaction and multiple inputs into how things turn out.
In Character Verses Out of Character Comments:	Be careful not to take anything personally, whether In Character or OOC. If you feel that someone is getting personal with you or if a problem develops with another author, inform the GM or AGM. It is quite often a result of a misunderstanding somewhere along the way. Many people forget that the written word omits facial expressions, tone of voice and perhaps even their real intent. From time to time, your may character receive a verbal reprimand. When your character makes a mistake, whether intentional or accidental, we as role players will certainly have our characters address it (this may include In-Character disciplinary action) so do not take it personally. Do not mistake a character's angry response as rebuke from the author. That is almost certainly not the case. If you feel that it is, it should be handled privately between yourselves. If you are unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion bring it to the attention of either the GM or AGM. Please take all OOC instruction in the spirit that it is intended: As a constructive teaching tool to help you be the best possible role player you can be.
Know Your Crewmates:	It is a good idea to read through all of the Crew Bios for the members that you serve with in order to familiarize yourself with the other characters that you will be interacting with.
Other Player Character Use:	It is common practice within your posts to use the actions and words of other Player Characters to help you with your story. If your use of another PC is minor, limited to yes or no answers, you probably don't need permission from the other person. However, if you use the other person's character extensively, or have any uncertainty as to what actions or words they would say, then e-mail a copy of the draft of your post to get the other person's input (known as a joint sim). Another acceptable method is to end your post and wait for the other character's response. When using another character in this manner, be sure to check their Bio for references to character use. There are some authors who prohibit the use of their character altogether.
Posting Suggestions:	There are several things that you can do to make your posts easier and more enjoyable for others to read. First of all, if your post is not legible, then people will either not read it or they may misunderstand what you are trying to say or do. Separate your paragraphs, don't run unorganized or disconnected ideas together, write enough about an event to make it comprehensible. It is suggested that you use a spell checker. We realize that for some English is a second language and they might have to look up every other word. In order to make it easier for everyone, spell things phonetically if possible when you aren't sure and cannot check a dictionary. Last, but certainly not least, do not rush your post. It is possible to write 2, three or even five pages without affecting the plot a whole lot. Tell us what you are thinking, feeling, hearing, seeing or doing. Help us to get to know your character. If you have something brief to say and would have to wait for one or more other characters to respond, but want a longer post, you can still beef it up with plenty of descriptors.
Reality of Posts:	As the author of your posts, you know everything that is going on within the ship and on landing parties. In reality though there are a lot of things that your character won't know, like things that are said and done outside of your character's presence. Therefore, you should avoid giving your character knowledge of things that s/he wouldn't reasonably know or using exceptional means for getting that knowledge to your character. It is suggested that suggest instead you role play the situation and ask questions that your character in his/her position would reasonably ask, then wait for the answer. It may not be what you, or your character, expects to hear, but that's the essence of an RPG.
Simming Style:	The simming style is dependant on that of each GM. Some prefer to use third person (like reading a book), while others like first person.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T:	Respect for other players and respect for the game needs to be maintained. This isn't a mystery story where you're the only one who knows what's going. Some GM's do not like it when someone springs a surprise plot twist. One person, in a single post, can confuse the whole game so that nobody knows what is going on. You should role play it, enjoy it, have fun with it, but generally keep the story, both plots and sub-plots, going in the same direction rather than trying to institute a new idea that really has no place in the current plot and only serves to pull it apart or derail it. If the idea you want to introduce does not work with the mission your are on, save it for another time, there will be other missions.
Character Limitations:	Keep your races and characters realistic within the known Star Trek Realm. All powerful characters such as the Q are STRONGLY discouraged. Your Character must be original. You are not permitted to use an established Star Trek Character that has been used in any of the shows or movies. They may not be a relative of them either. These characters are copy written so you may not change the cannot history of an established character, these "relatives" do not exist. Paramount holds the copyright to these characters and we MAY NOT change their history. Try to avoid extensively mixed character species, a 1/8th Vulcan, 1/4th Human, 1/4th Betazoid, 1/2th Klingon and an ex-borg. Try to keep with what the Star Trek Universe could or would have. Keep it simple. Avoid the "Superhero" character. Follow with what has been established in the Star Trek Universe. The moment a character or a ship can do anything or achieve everything with little or no effort it gets boring. Keep in mind that every person has flaws as well as skills and you are asked to keep a realistic balance between the two. The same could be said for the technology.
Plot Suggestions:	If you have an idea for a new mission for your ship, suggest it to the CO via e-mail. It is the CO's responsibility to plan and introduce the missions.
Posting Requirements:	Each Commanding Officer (CO) is required to monitor their players posting to adhere to these requirements. Deduction of points for failing to post at these rates will be enforced. If a player needs to be gone for an extended period of time, they must first notify their CO who may put them on a Leave of Absence where the posting requirements are temporarily waived until that player returns. If a player exceeds the time requested for a Leave of Absence, they will be dropped from the game. If players do not post, the following steps are authorized by the ECB: 1) CO e-mails player if they have not posted at least once in a week and requests an explanation. Player has 72 hours to respond to CO. 2) If there is no response from player, CO sends a final e-mail giving them an additional 48 hours to respond or they will be removed from the ship and placed in a "probationary" status. 3) If after the final warning is given there is still no response, CO contacts the Chair of the ECB to have player removed from the ship and that position is opened up for other interested players. Keep in line with the current plot, and try to keep up with where everyone is on the ship. Nothing is more frustrating than to read a post when a character is on the Bridge when he/she had been on an away mission. Indicate your character's rank, name and title in the subject line of all posts, and include a signature on every post or OOC comment.