Cadet (Handbook)
There will be two (2) parts to this Handbook/Guide/Players Manuel. The shorter part dealing with NRPG logistics and the second dealing with RPG. Both are somewhat important in effective playing in order to make the USI Experience most rewarding and enjoyable. Important Terms will be highlighted in YELLOW, Important Rules will be highlighted in RED and everything else is just important. Numbers in Brackets will indicate a reference point for explaination purposes.
Cadet Handbook: NRPG Logistics
There are actually very few NRPG points of intrests which need to be explained, however they are important. In short, they are more Enforced Guidlines than anything else. The first of these things is the format in which your POSTS: Emails sent to the server which contribute your part of the story, are sent.
The Reccommended format is outlined below.
(1)NRPG :
(2)RPG :
(3)Rank and Name Position/Department Ship Name Ship Registry Ship Class
The first of these (1) is NRPG. NRPG Stands for NON-ROLE-PLAYING-GAME. This is used to indicate that the following written is either having nothing to do with the plot, game, ship, or USI. Often times this is used to ask questions, tell about an idea, or tell the crew members to post as a human being in earth in the 20th century. This is the way we communicate as writers.
Second (2) is RPG. RPG stands for ROLE-PLAYING-GAME. This is what we write. Our stories, our thoughts, dreams, and plots. This is were the action takes place. Where romance, war, love, and hate all are written in the age old art of story telling and creative writing. Here, our characters become the voice and action of life, and here our characters are developed.
Third (3) is the Signature. The Signature is what we use to identify ourselves. Because each ship/post has upto 12 members on it, each given the free will to post about other characters and things and events. Because this can cause some confusion on what is going on, the signature is a must to help us identify what is happening, and who is making it happen. Only one is absolutly required when having a signature. That being your characters name and Rank. However, it is extremely recommended that along with your characters name and rank, also include his/her Position, and ship name. This makes it easy to identify your character as well as help others use your character in posts of their own.
The Second NRPG issue is a matter of Content (see also : Rules) . When posting on the server, it is very important to be mindful and courteous of others. Harsh and Vulgar language is not permitted, as well as intense Sexual Content (regardless of material). This includes most of everything that would make a movie Rated "PG-13" in respect. Language should be kept at a " G " level and Sexual content should be kept at a " PG " level.
A post should be considered as a full post counting towards your overall total for each period if it is 200 words or more. This is about 4 paragraphs and less than a page of written text. It should be long enough that you are contributing to the overall story, as well as providing for interaction, depth, and progress to the plot or your character in which you are writing about. Posts which are too short don't help much towards the plot and can be difficult to interact with due to the limited content and detail which is provided. When starting out, we understand that often you are still getting into the groove of how everything is done and how the game is played. So often Captains will be relaxed with this rule while you get used to the co-operative writing enviornment. So don't sweat it in the beginning, you'll be writing up volumes before you know it.
The Server is privatly owned so we do have a right to restrict these points of posting. The main reason that they are enforced, is because we do have players of a younger age who participate in the game. If my little 8 year old sister played an online game, I know I would like an environment that is clean. If you must bring about the Freedom of Speech, and insist on posting contrary to the rules, you will find another place to play. Your freedom ends where others' freedom begins. That is the Second Golden Rule.
If these simple and easy rules are not kept, the rule stands are Three strikes and you are out.
Cadet Handbook: RPG Logistics
From here on out it's all fun. INTRODUCTION
When one posts, the object is create an environment in which others can participate. This type of an environment is called our Scene. The Scene in which this particular game resides in is of course Outer Space with futuristic Science Fiction as our main theme. If you will please read the history, you will notice that USI's history is unique compared to any other rpg.
Because of the drastic changes between an already created universe, and an alternate and extremely more diverse reality, there is the opportunity for intense, immense plots to be played out by the player, You. The main goal is to progress your already created character into something more, and better than how he/she started out.
For Example, one character, named Lilly Demonas, started out as quite a brat. Somewhat stuck up, rather impersonal, and frankly seemed cold. The writer didn't intentionally create her this way, but that is how she turned out at first. After about 6 months, Lilly developed into someone who actually became friends with the crew. When at first it seemed she could actually care about others, she let go of her selfish desires, and gave her life for another ( she didn't die though.)
This is a good example on how someone grows, how a character develops. In USI there is no such thing as a perfect being, or one who is the " best ". Especially if they just joined up in USI. In USI you really do honestly start out as a babe in nothing but a uniform. Skills and abilities MUST be developed through the experience of writing.
Granted your character will already have some talents and abilities. BUT, what fun is it if you are already the best at everything ? So the solution is, you aren't. Right now USI has a leader by the Name of Fleet Admiral Kerok Seccour, who is highly respected even by other factions of space. Why ? Because he didn't start out omnipotent and unbeatable. He had to grow to achieve a level of power. He always wasn't Fleet Admiral of the Unified Space Intelligence; he started out just like all of you right now, and he worked and wrote his way into leadership, ability, strength, power, and even love. EVERYTHING was developed through the process of writing. The Character is now four years old in Writing, and 7 years old in design and thought. So naturally, Fleet Admiral Seccour WILL be better at things than you are when you start out. But he isn't the best at everything.
Section II Part I: Who you are.
If you read the history of USI, the universe contained therein, you would have discovered that USI is not the federation, star fleet, or even centralized in the Alpha Quadrant. You also would have discovered that we are writing 800 some odd years into the future, and that the USI universe become extremely diversed.
So what does that make you ? YOU start out on a ship or station (depending on where your training takes place) as a crewmember/civilian in the Unified Space Intelligence, acting as a USI Officer/Citizen. Everyone who is part of USI, is IN. There is no grey area. The differences is the career choice of Officer or Civilian. Officers are strictly bound by directives of USI, however they have a more rewarding future and experience, and often times after about ten years, their required service contract is up. They may, if they so wish, continoue in USI, which most officers do. Civilians however, are on a more free basis, granted to work along side with crew. However, they are required for the most part to take care of themselves. Somewhat of a Contract labor aggreement. They are still bound by the same Rules, however they also aren't granted the same permissions as an Officer.
So what are the positions aboard a starship ?
Captain - He is your commanding Officer. If you have questions about the game, playing, etc. Its probably quickest to ask him.
First Officer - He is who takes charge when the captain is unavailable. His role is basically the same as the captain, except when the captain is on duty, then he acts like a aid or an assistant.
Second Officer - This officer is usually in Science or OPS, but can be in another position. They handle most of the ship operations aside from that of the main duties of the other officers. The crew will be in contact with him alot, and is usually the first person they goto in times of need (in RPG. If you have NRPG problems, take them straight to your Captain). This is so the Captain and the First Officer can maintain the Mission Protocol and complete the missions at hand.
Chief of Engineering / Engineering Crew- They are of course those who fix, maintain, enhance, and keep the ship in perfect order. Being technically minded, they are also the computer experts, and they a primary resource.
Chief of Security / Security Personnel - They are the shipwide law enforcement. In the old days of USI, Security was also responsible for the military strength of the Galactic Alliance. In USI, they are smaller than one would imagine. Their job is mostly ship based, and are called for the maintaining of order on the ship or station. The Chief of Security, however is usually a Marine.
Marines - Marines are the brute fighting force of USI. They are specifically trained for combat situations, and know how to use virtually every weapon known to Sentient life. They often work effectively in conjunction with the Security Personnel. It is always up to the Chief of Security to evaluate whether a situation needs the Marines, or the Security Personnel.
Chief of Science / Science Experts - They are the brains behind the why, how , and what when it comes to the universe. Theories, cause and effect, Temporal Mechanics, Quantum Physics are usually part of the expertise that they carry. Because they too carry a very technical position, they are often called up by the Engineering Crew for help.
Ships Chief Physician and Medical Staff - If you have the Wraith flu or simply broke your arm, they fix ya up and patch ya back together. They are often called upon by Science and Engineering to determine effects of new theories and methods. They also have Councilors to help you cope through life's trials.
AstroNavigations - You want to go someplace, they know the way, the best way, and the quick way. Being highly skilled pilots they also have a large advantage over a computer to have lighting quick reflexes to manuver a ship in and out of any event. These are the best pilots anyone could ask for, whether it is a large ship, or a smaller fighter pilot. Many AstroNavigation Officers are also marines who pilot the smaller fighter ships.
Civilans - This is everyone else. Cooks, moral officers, Merchants, store front owners. Their description on a ship will vary from ship to ship as you never know what you get.
Each position is available to both the Enlisted officers and the Civilian Officers, (even Captain and First Officer if you stay in the game long enough!) So if you want the career that will have you commanding fleets, make sure your career is a good one.
