Victory Handbook: Difference between revisions

{{Victory}}

Welcome to the USS Victory! It is a ship filled with many years of history, but is crewed by some of the best simmers and writers that you will find in UFOP: Starbase 118 RPG! I take great pride in my people and how amazing they are. I am glad you are aboard and want to make this manual easy and simple for you to get through.

Now, on to the good stuff!  

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Although naval tradition requires officers on-board a ship to be referred to as "sir" regardless of gender, on the Victory we tend to be a little more relaxed. Female officers generally prefer to be called either by their surname, their rank, or "ma'am". As usual, this is up to the officer in question- if there's ever any doubt, err on the side of formality. You can't go wrong then.</div>

If you have any other questions regarding this format, do not hesitate to contact your mentor!  

One of the things that the Victory crew likes to do and the staff like to see is that people put in detail when it comes to their tags. Instead of:

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' A good rule of thumb is: If your character doesn't have anything to do, ask someone if you can help. Worst case scenario: sim an NPC and cause a problem for yourself!</div>

Ultimately, it is the simmer's responsibility to ensure that their sims are tasteful. Repeated violations of the PG-13 guidelines may result in a warning or disciplinary action. A good rule of thumb is treat the subject the way our favorite show does.

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Feel free to play your PNPC as often or infrequently as you like, but if they start to eclipse your main character you should consider making them your main character (and your old main a PNPC). You can do this at any time, just ask your CO. Good rule of thumb here is sim your PC more than PNPC and we should be good!</div>

<br style="clear:both;" />

Generally speaking, you will need one or two sims per week to be considered a "part time" writer. We here at the USS Victory prefer the latter than the former. A "full time" writer generally sims three times a week (twelve a month) and some sim every day or every other day. Some sim more often than that... but that's far from required and, as discussed below, is sometimes undesirable.

Consistently maintaining a sim count higher than the bare minimum (generally 20+ a month) and answering your tags with alacrity looks very good for your development, keeps your character involved in the plot and allows for a much more fun simming experience for the whole crew.  

Not every voyage is smooth sailing, and while simming these are some of the issues you might encounter. Some of them are general, while others are very specific in nature. In any event, they should be treated with caution.

The only hard and fast rule we have is that no character can have telekinetic powers. That is to say, no character may move physical objects with their mind. Years of experience in the simming world have taught us that such a powerful gift solves too many problems too easily, and makes a character far too powerful.  This rule is fleet-wide, but we feel it necessary to reiterate it.

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' The 'To' E-mail address box should be the last thing you fill out before sending your sim (after proof-reading it). This way, you'll never accidently send out a sim before you're ready!</div>

One should also be aware of runaway dialog. Unless your character is giving a big speech, you should keep your spoken lines fairly short, giving other players plenty of time to contribute.  

A Mission Specific Player Non-Playing Character, or MSPNPC, is an NPC assigned to a specific player for the duration of a mission.  They are usually antagonists and are treated as a unique character just like your PC.  

Any member of the crew can apply for an MSPNPC role.  The call is sent out during shore leave, and you will be expected to maintain your sim rate, as well as write for the extra character. (note: The extra character does not need to be simmed the standard 3 times a week, but as needed for the plot and should be answering tags as they come out.)

MSPNPCs are simmed just like any PNPC. Simming an MSPNPC is a great chance to try something new or challenging with a character, since they are designed to be temporary.

It should be noted that although MSPNPCs are usually villains, writers are reminded that ALL SB118 sims must be PG-13. Scenes of extreme cruelty or sadism, even from MSPNPCs, isn't acceptable. If you want your character to commit a serious 'kick the dog' moment, it is best to 'fade to black' or employ vague or poetic wording to do so. If you're ever in doubt that a scene might not be PG-13, it probably isn't... but the PG-13 rating is a very subjective thing. As always, if you're uncertain, ask your CO.

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Promotions on the Victory are '''not''' automatic and must be earned. We like to think we are stricter with our promotions than other vessels- if you are promoted by us, you are one of the best.</div>

</div>

<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Volunteering to mentor a new crew member to the ship is a great way to earn a new drinking buddy! *hic*</div>

When new writers come aboard any ship, including the Victory, they are given a mentor. This will generally be a staff member of rank Lieutenant or higher who guides, encourages and helps the new writer with any issues they may be facing. The Victory has a few specific officers who have signed up to mentor new Ensigns as they are placed with our crew. These officers have a history of high level simming ability and a secure grasp of how things work on the Victory and in the Fleet. Because our mentors have the responsibility of shaping some of the Fleet's future leaders, we do not take this job lightly. On the contrary, to be a mentor means both dedication to the rules and setup of the Starbase 118 Fleet as well as knowledge of writing and simming overall.

<br style="clear:both;" />

Mentors are coordinated through, and allocated by, the Command Staff of the [[USS Victory]]. As states previously, the Victory has a set group of officers who volunteer to help new members of the crew. If you think that this is a job that you might like to do, review the following requirements and send a message to the First Officer, [[Eerie|Lt. Commander Eerie]] in order to apply.

* The urge to help new players learn the ropes so that they might one day become a solid member of the crew

The first duty of a mentor is to contact the new member of the crew. All new ensigns receive an email from the Commanding Officer, the First Officer, and their mentor within the first 48 hours of being assigned to the crew. In this introductory email, ensigns are offered support and a place to take any questions or concerns that might arise in the first days of play.  

New simmers are a precious resource and are afforded every opportunity to ask questions, interact IC'ly and OOC'ly with the crew, and in all other ways have a great time.

We would hope that this would '''never''' happen, but nobody's perfect. If you don't like your mentor, or your mentor isn't responding to your questions in a timely and accurate manner, simply ask your Commanding Officer to have them replaced. A good working relationship is important, so we want to pair you up with someone you can get along with.

* "[http://forums.starbase118.net/index.php/forum/6-character-cafe/ Character Cafe]": where writing in ''any'' style can be posted- even if it's not Star Trek related!

* "[http://forums.starbase118.net/index.php/forum/5-starbase-118-lounge/ StarBase 118 Lounge]": where you can post sims set in the "UFOP: StarBase 118 Universe," but not strictly related to the vessel you sim on.

[[Category:USS Victory]]