Rules of Play

Playing USI-RPG is easy enough. Please refere to the TERMS OF USE for important information regarding content ( basically an " EULA".)

'Basics of Game Play'

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USI is a Play Be Email Role Playing Game. So to play, you submit emails to our server, which in turn take your emails and emails it to everyone on the list (effectively your fellow crewmates.) Once being assigned to ship ( If you are a new cadet you will start on an academy ship for training of the USI universe ) you will start to recieve emails in story format. These emails are called POSTS. A Post is basically your submission to the current running story.

EXAMPLE POST

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NRPG - Awesome plot we have!

RPG - Johntson ran up the corridor, his gauss pistol in hand. The Darkarian was around here somewhere. Honestly he was scared out his wits, but an order was an order. Unfortunatly, the team of 12 marines behind him didn't calm his nerves. He knew the Darkarians were evil, powerful, and relentless. He had some experience with them, but usually always behind the safety line...

Lt. Johntson Marines USI Execuzatshack

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The three things to note in this example are the NRPG, the RPG and the Signature at the bottom. The NRPG may be used for short comments or announcements ( like if you are unable to post, this would be used to notify the crew so that they know.) In most cases we encourage the use of the Forums for chit chat and non role playing converstation. The Forums are quite active and are visited frequently by most members of USI. The RPG is used to note that what you type after the RPG is your actual contribution to the running story. The above example is EXTREMELY short, and it is recommended that your contributions or posts are at least a page in length. This keeps the interactivity and character progression flowing smoothly. This also puts you in good standing for promotions and awards. The last is the signature. This allows us as the readers of your contribution or post WHO wrote it. This is usefull especially if you post something which ISN"T centered our your character.

When you post, you will end up emailing an address similar to [email protected] or [email protected]. You will have a few options for configuration of such. IF you need to, and do not have an email address, you may use the website to view posts, and to post to the list yourself.

'Interaction & Development'

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The most basic of Role Playing is the interaction between you and the other players. With our free form style of playing, its easy to step on the others toes when it comes to the actual interaction of character. Typically, its a good rule of thumb to not post thoughts or ideas of that other players character, until enough experience has been obtained, that the owner of that character does not mind you posting those. As an absolute must, do not go killing off, maiming, killing family members of that char, or posting them doing something totally erratic. They will get after you and is not conductive to a good playing atmosphere. This calls for trouble and often times will almost immediatly mark you as an unwanted player, or a trouble maker. However, if you do get permission, Often times it can be a fun plot twist to do the aformentioned. Good Communication is healthy to a group of players, and promotes unity, and great fun.

By extension, this also applies to universe related characters and inanimate objects such ships, stations, planets, factions, including the ones you may play on. The modification of these are restricted to approval.

A player may also develope his own character despite his ranks, species, or alignment to his own will as long as they abide by the given rules and Terms of Aggreement. These have been developed because of abuse of the system and lack of maturity by past players. This also means that if you see a player who is a Nephatsu who is quite sadistic and one that is quite nice, it doesn't mean they are playing their characters incorrectly. This measnt hat their character is that way. There may be typical features and facts about a species which should help you define your character. Nothing other than stated rules have say how your character grows and developes. If you play a Matrix who was born in the SCM colony of Gershon, then so be it. That is YOUR Character.

As good rule of thumb, to prevent others playing your character incorrectly or trying to dictate the direction of your characters development, posting at least three times a week will ensure that your fellow players will not do this. Posting at least this much will also you fit into the crew, and make a place for yourself on your current post.

'PSI / MS'

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PSI ( Psionic Power ) and MS ( Matrix Sensory ) are great things to enhance your charactesr abilities and talents. The current character system automatically generates your PSI level based off of the amount of points you put into psionic / Msionic based abilities. If you are a character that has PSI, then its impossible to have MS. Its either one or the other.

Interaction of MS an PSI are as follows. PSI May detect presence of MS, but regardless of level may not read minds, or manipulate ( Mind control ) or emote to an MS. Being the nature of MS, they simply do not detect or acknowlage PSI beings. Definition of Psionics and MS are decribed in the Universe pages under " The Game" Technology, SHS

A short word about Player Creations, Technology, and their use in the game. Although we take place in a Science Fiction and Fantasy realm of Role Playing, its often too easy to create an omnipotent being, or a wonderful device of magnificent power to aid you in your quests. Usually its the brilliant creation of the players character which summons up the help, and suddenly all peace is declared throughout the galaxy. Regardless of how intelligent or strong your may think your character is, this is bad form of role playing. The ability to instantly end the conflict, negates the whole purpose of the RPG in itself, which is to create a character, and define its experiences through our imagination. Creating a superhuman that flies the second you begin to post and can never die is not very imaginative, and ruins the game for the others. We often referre to this as SuperHero Syndrom. Because of such, we have banned the ability to instantly create your own technology, and your submitted character will be subject to approval.

Player created enemies (that which isn't defined by the USI Website and its Database of the Universe) should take this into account when posting such. Player created species, ships, etc, should also take this into account. Although we do allow for free form writing, just because you write it into the story / plot line, doesn't mean it will become canon, and all material is subject to extermination by your commanding officers. Maturity of your creations need to be used, and if done so properly, everyone ends up happy, and you get to use your imagination freely.

'Character Limit'

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And now let us read from the holy book: "And there shall be a total of two characters. Three is two many. Four is definitely out. One is enough, unless the need for another has arisen in the heart." - Loosely based on Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail.

'Other...'

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A few things which will help you in your writing, are the noting of certain situations.

RPG - is used to signal that all written information, is meant as an addition to the running story. NRPG - is used to comment, whether RPG related or not. We preferre to keep the NRPG's to a minmum, and anything not story related, please post in the forums. < > - These are used to note when speaking through a communications system, IE ShoulderComm, or to another ship via Computer. Example of usage would be : <"Captain, we are taking heavy fire!">, Tagger said, covering his head. ~ - Is used to note when speaking through PSI (Telepathic), or Psionic Communication. Example: ~Help me!~, Taelin said, mustering her mental powers. " - Quotes are used commonly as a way of noting verbal communication. Example: "Hello, sir!", Tagger said excitedly.

Note that quotes are used in the communication style noting. This is because they are still verbally speaking, and require the quotes. Psionic communication does not require the use of quotes when writing.

Signature should go as follows :

Rank and Name Position/Department Ship Name Ship Registry Ship Class

Often times other information may be added, but we ask that you maintain maturity when creating your signature. Often we have noticed other putting things ALONG with their signature such as "Main security Banana " And such. We don't' mind you do that as long as the rest of the signature is there.

Sometimes you will encounter a player from another culture or even language, we ask that patience be observed when mistakes are made grammatically, and if they post out of line (EX: posting your character unappropriatly.) They might not immediatly understand the situation as you. An easy thing to remember while playing the game both on the lists and using the other services is RESPECT. There are others who play this game, treat them as you would like to be treated. Often times, the favor is returned. Species...

Species may only be used if they are in the database. Part of this is because of our character design system, and another part is because its really easy to just say " I am a Gorgoon and I am invinciible." Which of course is lame and then you get no friends and have a HORRIBLE time playing the game. So the available species to play are in the database.

Secondly - while you may be a member of that species, it doesn't mean that you have pull, sway , or mass influence in the grand scheme of that species. As you progress in the game you may post according to that species which you have selected, but actions such as calling that species mass fleet over to rescue you and only you from some ill fate doesn't work. In fact it doesn't happen. As a game you must respect the fact that while you are special, so is everyone else. And you must also respect the fact that as you play this game, you are playing as an officer of the Unified Space Intelligence. Which means that even in treaties, those species have no obligation to suddenly help you out, time and time again.

'Posting...'

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Posting to your ship, or email list is an essential part of playing. Because you are playing with a group of people, its important that you stay active and post frequent enough to maintain your position on that list. Lack of posting can eventually get you possibly demoted, or removed from the game passively.

Normal players, those without any game administration reponsibility (First Officers, Captains and Admirals are those with game administration responsibilities), need to post at least three times a week to even be considered for any of the promotions (rank advancements.) If you unable to do this, we recommend you notify your captain so that we are aware and don't accidentally remove you from the game. If you go without posting for about 8 weeks, you are automatically removed from the game. You may end up at Tryst Training, a 'holding' area if you are unable to post for about 4 weeks. This is to make sure that new players are given the chance that you were by making those positions available. Should you wish to return, please begin posting to the ship, but we aware that your position may have been replaced and you might end up as a Junior officer again.

Captains must maintain posting minimum as well. Should they be unable to post minimum for 4 weeks, they are removed from their command, usually demoted. WE do allow them more time to return before being removed from the game. They have upto one year.

Admirals may post in various forms, and their posting requirement is different. It is imperitive that they are able to support their ships that they oversee. As long as they are performing this duty, their actual posting can be variable. If a ship that they oversee, for example, has a captain who has been unable to post, it will be the Admirals responsibility to maintain that ship at the time. This means that they must post at least three times a week to ensure that the ship is able to play without that captain until a new one is assigned or the old one is able to return to posting. We strongly encourage admirals to have at least one character that is posting minimum on one of their overseen ships as a point of presence and to maintain interest in the game and its universe.

We understand that this is a game, and try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. We also try to be pretty relaxed in the rules and try to accomodate everyone situation. Players do need to understand that many of the rules are in place to ensure that the game does run smoothly. If you end up being demoted due to lack of posting, please understand it is because there are players who are able to play, and we need to give them the same opportunity.

As with anything, the key to sucess is being able to communicate. If you are unwilling to communicate with the leadership of the game, most likely this will end up in us not understanding your situation or knowing what you need as a player to make this game as fun and entertaining as it can be. This goes for players, captains and Admirals. PLEASE, if you're having problems with anything you need to let us know so we can help resolve the issue and get you having fun again.