Help:Frequently Asked Questions

From Star Trek: Gamma One

These are the Frequently Asked Questions for Star Trek: the Wine Dark Sea. Please take a look over them for information about the game.

General Questions

What is this? Should I read it?

This is a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Star Trek: the Wine Dark Sea. Many of these questions don't fit well in the news files, or the question and answer is listed here to provide easy access to the information. You should read through all of the information listed in +faq.

How can I get help?

First, you can ask your question on the Newbie channel. By default, that is 'new <question>'. If that doesn't work, you can do '@clist' to see what the Newbie channel is listed as. If it does not show up, then do 'addcom new=Newbie' and then ask with 'new <question>'. Second, if you have a question about getting started you can look at '+staff' and locate an on duty staff member and contact him or her. Lastly, you can +request with your question (as long as you are not a Guest), and staff will answer ASAP. See '+help request' for more information.

Can I use a name from the TV shows or movies?

The characters from the television shows and movies are property of Paramount Studios. Their names and likenesses are copyrighted and not available for use on the game.

How long does a +request take to get a response?

Staff adheres to a 72-hour policy for +requests. Once the +request has been entered, staff will respond within 72 hours. In some cases staff may not have an answer, but they will contact you within 72 hours.

Can I use my PC's first name?

Naming convention on Star Trek: the Wine Dark Sea dictates that PCs are named using their surname, not the first name. Please refer to 'news naming'.

Can I have an alt?

Yes. Players are permitted alts under the conditions outlined in 'news alts'.

Can I gain renown? How so?

Renown is gained through your character's actions during episodes. Staff will decide the renown awards. Renown can also be a product of merits/flaws taken in chargen.

How does the dice system work?

Please see 'news mechanics' for details. Please see '+help roll' for information on the command to make rolls.

Is there combat?

There will be instances of combat during the course of the game, especially in some episodes that will be run. All combat must be witnessed by staff.

What is the difference between a doctor, resident, intern, nurse, counselor and psychiatrist?

Doctors are those who have completed their studies at Starfleet Academy of Medicine as well as a six month cadet cruise (as a nurse) and a one year residency/internship (as a resident/intern). Residents/interns are those officers who have earned the rank of ENS and are completing the hands-on portion of their education. Nurses can either be career nurses (+roster/info Chief Nurse) or those medical students on their cadet cruise. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has done the majority of their course work in the field of psychology. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication. A counselor is someone who is trained in psychology, but not necessarily medicine. Please see +roster/info Counselor, +roster/info Nurse, and +roster/info Medical Doctor.

Do I need the LUG RPG books to play here?

No. You don't require the books to play here. You just need to be familiar with the Star Trek setting.

I have a suggestion for a new FAQ question.

Feel free to edit this page and add your question.

Is this game like Anomaly TrekMUX?

In some ways it is. The philosophy is the same, in that we will not use coded space, multiple player-run ships spread around the galaxy or anything else to break up the player base. The game will focus on one small, united grid. It is not like Anomaly in that systems are different, stats are different, XP earning is different, rules are different and so on. Do not assume anything about the game because 'it was that way on Anomaly'. This bears mentioning only because it keeps coming up.

Do you simulated or coded space?

Neither simulated or coded space are used on Star Trek: the Wine Dark Sea.

Can I have my own room?

When your character is approved, you will be assigned quarters on the appropriate deck of the appropriate ship, and these will be your quarters. Department Heads may need to send in a +request to be moved to quarters on the appropriate deck.

Can I have my own ship?

No, no one has their own ship. The grid consists of a small, closely knit group.

Do I have to follow orders?

Because the game is set in a Star Trek universe and based on two Starfleet vessels, the simple answer is yes. Starfleet, by its very nature, is an organization made up of the best and the brightest. Starfleet officers are expected to follow orders at all times (or have a very good IC reason why they haven't) or they will have to face the consequences. Civilians are considered guests of Starfleet, and like officers, are expected to follow the rules and regulations.

Can I play a character from the TV shows or movies?

The characters from the TV shows and movies are property of Paramount Studios and are not available for play due to copyright considerations.

Chargen Questions

The race I want is marked as restricted.

Several races are marked as restricted, either to limit the number of PCs from that race we have in play or because that race is not feasible for day to day roleplay. If you see a race that you would like to play, then +request (+help request) and tell us what race you would like, what position on the +roster you're going for, and why you want that race.

The race I want to play is not permitted in Starfleet.

Many of the races we have available are members of the Federation, and thus can join Starfleet. However, some of the races are not Federation members and thus are not normally allowed to join Starfleet. However, as we saw from characters on the show there are times people from non-Federation races can join Starfleet. If you want to have a non-Federation race in Starfleet, please +request (+help request) for details. Tell us what race you're considering, and what the concept is.

The race I want is not listed in '+info races'.

If the race you want is not in '+info races' then it is not available for role play.

Can I play a non-Starfleet character?

Yes, though the options are limited. Please ask a staff member about what options for non-fleet characters may be available at this time.

Character Generation is telling me that I can't have a skill at level 0?

In some cases (like the Science Officer branch) the choices allowed are designed so that you can pick one of several skills, then pick up a second specialty. To use Science Officer as an example, you are first allowed to pick any science skill with a specialty. You get that skill at level 2. Then you are allowed to pick a skill at level 0 with a specialty. In this case, you would choose the same skill you bought in the previous choice, but select a new specialty.

Character Generation reports that I am not done with this stage?

In many of the screens simply looking at the room will tell you what is incomplete based on what is showing up in red. (You should turn on ansi with '@set me=ansi' while in character generation.) If looking at the room does not help you, please contact staff for further assistance and we will help you out. Remember, you can ask questions on the Newbie channel.

How do I get access to a restricted branch?

The only restricted branch is Command. This branch is limited to prevent people from selecting it to 'be in command'. If there is a Command Branch position you're interested in, please send in a +request. If the position is a Line Officer billet, please include a two to three paragraph summary of your character concept. Otherwise simply +request and tell us what billet you want to apply for.

How do I get access to a restricted occupation?

If there is a restricted occupation (anything not in Starfleet) you would like to use for a character, please +request with your interest. Staff will follow up with the appropriate information.

How long does approval take?

Approval will take roughly 24 hours to review an application, except under special circumstances. There may be times when an application is denied, and it is then up to the player to make the appropriate changes and resubmit the application. If approval will take longer than 24 hours, you will be notified by staff If you have not heard anything, you can submit a +request for information.

What positions can I play?

The positions available for play can be found by looking at our roster. You can use '+roster' and follow the instructions to page through it. You can also use '+roster/open'. This will list as available all positions which are eligible for application.

What system is used for here?

Star Trek: the Wine Dark Sea uses the Last Unicorn Star Trek RPG system. More information about the system can be found in 'news mechanics'

What are the entrance and class of dates? How do I figure those out?

The entrance date is the year in which your character entered Starfleet Academy. The Class Of date is the year in which your character graduated from the Starfleet Academy. Please refer to +info age chart for the appropriate adult age for the race you will be playing. Starfleet Academy will only accept adults. For further information about the academy please read 'news academy'.

What ranks can I start at?

You can start as a Cadet, Ensign or Lieutenant Junior Grade, or the equivalent of Ensign or Lieutenant Junior Grade in acceptable non-Starfleet services. Only special applications, typically Department Head applications, will allow for higher than starting rank applications. These will be posted by staff.

Can I have more specialties than points in a skill?

Yes, you can. You can have 1 point in the skill and multiple specialties. You can also level up your specialty, so you have Skill 1 (Specialty +5).

What if a skill or merit or flaw I want is restricted?

You will need to send in a +request (+help request) indicating which skill or merit or flaw you're interested in. Each one can be treated a little differently, so staff will reply with information appropriate to the stat you are interested in.

What is the limit on merits and flaws I can buy in chargen?

There is no hard limit. Figure that you should have a max of about 15 to 20 total points in merits and flaws. When you get close to 15 total merits and flaws, then consider those you have purchased and might purchase. Are they important to your character concept? Are they required? Ultimately if the choices are logical then staff won't usually have a problem with them.

Are roster spots held during application?

Roster spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. That means the first person to submit an appropriate application will get the spot. That said, there is one caveat. If someone submits an application that is a almost good enough, but which only requires minor changes then they get the roster spot. This only applies to minor changes, where the overall application is quite acceptable but perhaps a few details or stats need changing.

Do I need to balance my merits and flaws?

No, you don't. You should try and maintain some balance for the sake of your character, but a strict point for point balance is not required.

Can I graduate in the top XX of my class?

No. Keep in mind that most new PCs to the game were at the academy at the same time, so if many of you graduated at the top of your class then the Task Force has the corner on the very best junior officers. Feel free to be vague, like 'Mitellan did rather well at the academy,' but please avoid 'Mitellan graduated in the top three percent of his class.' It just doesn't make sense that everyone on the game was top of their class.

What does 'Special App' mean on the Roster?

A billet marked as 'Special App' can not be applied directly from chargen. If a position marked as Special App interests you then +pitch. The title of the pitch should be the name of the billet. The content should be a character sketch about 4-5 paragraphs in length.