Contained in this handbook is information about the game that will make your playing easier and hopefully more enjoyable.

Command Staff

Starfleet Command CO: VADM Connor R. Andrews
Starbase 968 CO: Commodore Mojas

Grievance Procedures

If a player is having a problem of some sort, their first point of contact should be their department head or First Officer. If a resolution can't be reached then the CO would be notified. The next point of contact would be the Starfleet Command. Very few problems would ever need to go past the FO and every attempt should be made to resolve issues onboard the ship.

If a complaint is needed against a person from another duty station, then this will be handled by the Starfleet Command CO.

Where a complaint is considered serious a member may be banned from the game for a period of time. This may range from 6 months to a lifetime ban.

PC's, SPC's and NPC's

Player/Primary Characters (PC)

The PC is your principal character in the game and you are allowed to only have one PC within the game. You must also do at least 2 posts per week unless you have given your CO a good reason why you are unable to do posts that week.

PC characters are able to gain promotions within the game as and when your CO decides that you deserve them, each promotion is decided on the quality and quantity of your posts.

The killing of another players PC, without explicit approval of the player, or in their absence, your CO.

Special Player Characters (SPC)

SPC's are played by one person usually the person who created them. They are often played by players who have their PC (Player Character) on another ship, but can be played by people who have their PC's on the same ship.

SPC's are used to supplement the PC crew of a ship, either with character types not normally played by PCs (i.e. a transporter chief, a player's spouse, etc.) or when a ship may for various reasons be understaffed.

AT NO TIME will an SPC hold a department head or Command position when a qualified Player Character is available to play that position.

AT NO TIME will an SPC in such a position keep that position when a qualified Player becomes available.

There is no set limit to the number of SPC's that a player can play, as long as the CO of the ship the PC plays on has given permission and posting for SPC's does not interfere with a players PC duties.

In order to create and play an SPC on another duty station, you will need permission from your current CO and the CO of the ship or Starbase on which you wish to play.

Non-Player Characters (NPC)

NPC's come in two varieties:

A character specifically created for one mission who will die or leave after that mission is over.

A minor character, whether permanent or temporary, used to fill in a story. Examples of the first might be the leader of a newly encountered race, an Admiral on board for a surprise inspection, etc. The second type might be a bartender, a member of the security contingent, an engineering crewman, etc.

If the NPC is only going to be used to add to the plot line, for example a security player may wish to create an NPC to show that there are other crew working in security or to help them solve a particular problem, these can be created as and when it's required.

Any NPC created outside of the Player's own department should only be created with the permission of any applicable department head and the CO.

There is a fine line between NPC's and SPC's. The major distinction is who onboard may write for that character. Only the creating player may write for an SPC whereas any player may write for any NPC, unless a CO directs otherwise. No NPC or SPC may be killed off in a story without the express permission of that character's creator and/or the ship's CO.

With respect to both SPC's and NPC's, no one below the rank of Commander may create an NPC or SPC of higher rank than Ensign (JG) without the consent of your CO. Additionally, no SPC or NPC, once created, may be promoted beyond the rank of Ensign (JG) without the consent of the Ship Command or Fleet Command. When creating SPC/NPC's, remember they are supplemental characters meant to enhance the game, not dominate it.

Language

The language used by players in the game must be free of overt swearing. The basic tenet here is that "If they don't say it on the show, don't use it in the FGN".

The philosophy of Star Trek is to respect each other's differences and not everyone wants to read swear words or blasphemy so the wishes of these people must be respected, regardless of your personal feelings on the matter.

Spam

Members are forbidden from sending spam e-mail and ICQ/IRC messages to other members, any member found doing this will be expelled from Vanguard Fleet.

Members' E-Mail Addresses and ICQ Numbers will NOT be published or used by other members unless the member has given permission to do so.

Posting Frequency

All members are expected to post at least twice a week (unless on holidays etc). Failure to post at least twice will lead to a downgrading of status from an Active player to a Semi-Active player (returning to Active simply requires 2 posts in one week). If a S-A player fails to return to A status within 2 weeks their position is declared Vacant.

Compiled Posts

Commanding Officers are responsible for compiling all the posts from their crewmembers and distributing them back out to the crew frequently. A copy of each compilation is to uploaded to that Command's web page.

Thanks 

Commodore Mojas
January 2010