09-11-2025, 07:45 AM
== Well done Cadet, much better :-) Let's move onto lesson 2, and remember what you've learned in lesson 1 ==
== Lesson two: Plots, GM Input, Character Hijacking, and New Content:
We have two types of plots here on Federation Space: the main plot and subplots. Main plots affect the entire ship and are directed by a Game Moderator (GM). Subplots are an underlying story being told within the main plot. A subplot can be run by any player with prior approval of the ship’s CO (or FO).
An example of the difference between the two: The main plot is about the ship falling under attack. A subplot would be a character dealing with an on-ship pregnancy or maybe trying to write the next great holonovel.
GMs:
Game Moderators (GMs) guide the ships’ missions along. Every ship has a mission, of which only the GMs of a ship know the mission details.
Your job is to write what your character sees and what their reaction is. The GM will provide any unknowns about the plot. This input will have significance to the direction of the mission. This is why characters should keep posts open ended on anything that might affect the mission’s direction or outcome. As your character performs an action, such as performing a diagnostic scan, leave the result of the scan unknown. The GM will explain what the outcome of the action is.
When you need GM input on something, for example results of a diagnostic scan, one only has to make a request at the end of the post. The request can look like:
== GM Input, please? ==
Or it can also be a more specific request, such as:
== GM Input: Result of the diagnostic, please? ==
Take a look around at the active ships on Federation Space to see characters ask for GM input.
Character Hijacking:
The next element we’re going to cover is character usage. Unless you have permission from the player, you cannot post any speech, thoughts, or movements for another character (PRC or NRC) that isn’t yours, unless the character has already done so in-game. This is called character hijacking and is not permitted on Fed Space. Some players might not mind, but even minor things such as a nod of the head or a shrug of the shoulders can be considered hijacking.
For example, if you write in your next post that Commander Amelina Whittaker suddenly appeared and started dancing, you would have hijacked another character.
Character Movement on Ships:
I’m sure you have noticed that a ship has multiple threads on it for various locations that a player can post, such as the bridge, sickbay, and security offices. Oftentimes, while on a mission, players travel throughout the ship to accomplish their orders. To help follow the plot when a player is transitioning from one thread to another, they should make a notation at the end of their post like this: >> Sickbay >>. The arrows and location found at the bottom of a post tell readers where this character will post next.
When the player makes their next post, the player should make a notation at the beginning of their post like this: << Bridge <<. The arrows and location found at the top of a post indicate that it is where a player has just come from.
You may have also seen how I started my post with == Holodeck 6 - 14:00 hrs == something like this is often used when you're starting a subplot, or starting a post in a ship thread, where you haven't come from elsewhere on the ship. This helps you, other players, and those reading the thread to understand where it's taking place or when the post is happening. Other examples include the location, but not a specific time, depending on where you are, or the location, and whether it's the current ship timeline or not. There are examples of these on active ships if you want to take a look.
Time for more writing! In your next post, continue showing your use of our formatting techniques you learned in lesson one and ask for GM input. I will be acting as your GM.
If you need any help or would like more clarification on something, ask me! ==
== Holodeck 6 ==
From where she stood, Amelina could see everything, liking how this vantage point enabled her to watch for approaching Cadets or other members of staff, more so the Cadets who were about to take their final exam. Hoping that her presence was reassuring, because she knew from experience what it was like to take this step, before being let loose on a ship. So, when Brennan approached and stood at attention after reporting in, Amelina smiled warmly as she responded to him.
" At ease, Cadet, and welcome to your final examination. When you're ready, the programme will start. Good luck".
Once Brennan was ready, the programme was activated, and instead of the usual black and gold grid, the holodeck was now the inside of a shuttle, more precisely, the Aurora, one of seven shuttles assigned to the USS Odin. Its mission is to transport Ambassador Tors Abel, a Trill man in his early 40s, to a diplomatic meeting on Actura V, a small ocean world belonging to the Acturians, who are facing a potential epidemic.
== Tag Brennan ==
== Lesson two: Plots, GM Input, Character Hijacking, and New Content:
We have two types of plots here on Federation Space: the main plot and subplots. Main plots affect the entire ship and are directed by a Game Moderator (GM). Subplots are an underlying story being told within the main plot. A subplot can be run by any player with prior approval of the ship’s CO (or FO).
An example of the difference between the two: The main plot is about the ship falling under attack. A subplot would be a character dealing with an on-ship pregnancy or maybe trying to write the next great holonovel.
GMs:
Game Moderators (GMs) guide the ships’ missions along. Every ship has a mission, of which only the GMs of a ship know the mission details.
Your job is to write what your character sees and what their reaction is. The GM will provide any unknowns about the plot. This input will have significance to the direction of the mission. This is why characters should keep posts open ended on anything that might affect the mission’s direction or outcome. As your character performs an action, such as performing a diagnostic scan, leave the result of the scan unknown. The GM will explain what the outcome of the action is.
When you need GM input on something, for example results of a diagnostic scan, one only has to make a request at the end of the post. The request can look like:
== GM Input, please? ==
Or it can also be a more specific request, such as:
== GM Input: Result of the diagnostic, please? ==
Take a look around at the active ships on Federation Space to see characters ask for GM input.
Character Hijacking:
The next element we’re going to cover is character usage. Unless you have permission from the player, you cannot post any speech, thoughts, or movements for another character (PRC or NRC) that isn’t yours, unless the character has already done so in-game. This is called character hijacking and is not permitted on Fed Space. Some players might not mind, but even minor things such as a nod of the head or a shrug of the shoulders can be considered hijacking.
For example, if you write in your next post that Commander Amelina Whittaker suddenly appeared and started dancing, you would have hijacked another character.
Character Movement on Ships:
I’m sure you have noticed that a ship has multiple threads on it for various locations that a player can post, such as the bridge, sickbay, and security offices. Oftentimes, while on a mission, players travel throughout the ship to accomplish their orders. To help follow the plot when a player is transitioning from one thread to another, they should make a notation at the end of their post like this: >> Sickbay >>. The arrows and location found at the bottom of a post tell readers where this character will post next.
When the player makes their next post, the player should make a notation at the beginning of their post like this: << Bridge <<. The arrows and location found at the top of a post indicate that it is where a player has just come from.
You may have also seen how I started my post with == Holodeck 6 - 14:00 hrs == something like this is often used when you're starting a subplot, or starting a post in a ship thread, where you haven't come from elsewhere on the ship. This helps you, other players, and those reading the thread to understand where it's taking place or when the post is happening. Other examples include the location, but not a specific time, depending on where you are, or the location, and whether it's the current ship timeline or not. There are examples of these on active ships if you want to take a look.
Time for more writing! In your next post, continue showing your use of our formatting techniques you learned in lesson one and ask for GM input. I will be acting as your GM.
If you need any help or would like more clarification on something, ask me! ==
== Holodeck 6 ==
From where she stood, Amelina could see everything, liking how this vantage point enabled her to watch for approaching Cadets or other members of staff, more so the Cadets who were about to take their final exam. Hoping that her presence was reassuring, because she knew from experience what it was like to take this step, before being let loose on a ship. So, when Brennan approached and stood at attention after reporting in, Amelina smiled warmly as she responded to him.
" At ease, Cadet, and welcome to your final examination. When you're ready, the programme will start. Good luck".
Once Brennan was ready, the programme was activated, and instead of the usual black and gold grid, the holodeck was now the inside of a shuttle, more precisely, the Aurora, one of seven shuttles assigned to the USS Odin. Its mission is to transport Ambassador Tors Abel, a Trill man in his early 40s, to a diplomatic meeting on Actura V, a small ocean world belonging to the Acturians, who are facing a potential epidemic.
== Tag Brennan ==