Common Courtesy

For actual posting requirements, click HERE.

1: This is a game. Have fun.

We're all here to have fun, and I want to encourage the maximum fun possible. This is why I only have a few rules. I don't ask much, so I'll say this as plain as I can: Have fun. If you find that you can't have fun with the crew of the USS Black Hawk, then I wish you well on your gaming endeavors and it was nice to get to know you.

2: Don't step on anyone's toes.

We all come from different role-playing backgrounds, and these rules were created simply to minimize the confusion. With that in mind, the system that we use in our JPs (Joint Posts) is sometimes called the "tag" system. Someone says something, and then says "tag." It's simple, and it can be abused. Tagging is okay to give a conversation a push, but not okay to force it into your direction. Personally, I like to tag a player no more than twice. Rarely a third time. Also, if you don't like being tagged multiple times by the same person in the same post, just say so. I'll stop immediately, and I ask that everyone else respect that players' wishes. Our format will be discussed below.

3: No superhero characters.

Don't do my job if you're not the captain. Don't do the medic's job if you're not a medic. Don't do the engineer's job if you're not the engineer. It's simple. Just don't do it. We all contribute to finishing a mission, and we all attribute equally. If you come along and solve five different mission objectives in one post, you don't just ruin the mission, you cut off everyone else's chance to be involved, crush creativity, and you yourself will most likely be looking for a new game to join.

4: Acceptable Tag Lines

When tagging another player, use one of the following formats:

(tag)
Geisler?
TAG Geisler?

In a tag, it is also appropriate to give the next player an indication of what you're thinking, or where you'd like the post to go. It is also appropriate for the person you're tagging to ignore that suggestion should they see fit.

When tagging multiple people in the same post, you must include that character's name in a tag.

How it works is completely simple. When interacting with other PCs or PNPCs, you write for your character, and tag the other when it is his/her turn to provide input. For example, if the Chief Engineer and Chief Tactical Officer are assigned to recalibrate the targeting sensors, most likely the Chief Engineer would handle the physical modifications to the equipment while the Chief Tactical Officer would handle the targeting computer's controls. So, if the Chief Engineer, Lt. Casey writes first in the JP, it should go something like this:

Lieutenant Casey crawled underneath the open access hatch. Using his toolkit, he quickly and carefully increased the power flow to the targeting computer. Once he was finished with that, he used both of his hands to slightly shift the sensor relay into a more proper and stable position so that it wouldn't move around in the future. Calling out to Ensign Long, Luke said, "Give that a shot, ensign." <tag>

It is now Ensign Long's chance to respond.

Ensign Long gracefully moved her fingers across the console, attempting to align the sensors. After what seemed like forever, she had successfully completed the task. "Looks like that did it, Chief," Ensign Long told Lieutenant Casey. Casey? Shao tapped her combadge. "Ensign Long to the bridge. Targeting sensors are back in alignment."

The following is an example JP with Captain Geisler and Ensign Hathaway that was deemed unacceptable.

"On screen, ensign," Captain Geisler bellowed. Ensign Hathaway pressed the button to open the channel. The Andorian captain immediately appeared on the viewscreen. "We meet yet again, captain," Captain Schrel sneered. "This is the end of the line for you. Surrender now, and perhaps we will spare the lives of you and your crew." "I can handle this captain," Ensign Hathaway said, rushing out in front of their leader. "Captain Schrel, we're not going to surrender. We'll fight you to the end." "Then prepare to die." Without a moment's hesitation, Ensign Hathaway ran back to his station to raise the shields and power up the torpedo bays. It was unfortunate that the phasers were offline, along with the targeting sensors. Thinking it would give him the best advantage, he rerouted helm control to his station and began to fly the Black Hawk so that he could fire the torpedoes straight on. Ensign Hathaway piloted the Black Hawk past the Andorian ship, taking fire as she flew by. Quickly, she flipped the ship around and fired three quantum torpedoes at the Andorian ship's engines. The firepower was too much for the Andorian ship and it exploded into a million pieces. Smiling in celebration, Ensign Hathaway paused to hear an alarm coming from the engineering console. He ran over to the station. "We're two minutes from a warp core breach!" he shouted, seeing the damage inflicted by the Andorians. He quickly ran his fingers over the controls, and with almost a minute to spare, just down the warp core. "We're safe now, captain!"

That's an example of a "superhero" post. Posting like that takes away the captain's job, the helm's job, and the engineer's job, not to mention a good round of posting that could have become an awesome battle. Instead, it was all over in a matter of moments because one person wanted all of the glory.

5: NOTES FROM THE GM

I'm an easy-going, laid-back guy. I see my role as GM as this: I keep the game moving, and under control. If there's a long pause in the game (more than a couple of weeks), I take the liberty to give it a push, sometimes by stepping on a toe or two. If that happens, I'm sorry, but the game must go on. If there's a dispute, I'll settle it. Plot-wise, if I'm the one who comes up with the mission, I put all the pieces in place and I let go of the reins. It's OUR job to complete the mission, not my own. We're all in this together, and I love it when everyone contributes. There is great potiential with this crew. I can't wait to see what happens, I really can't.

There will be opportunities later for NPCs. As I set up a story, I leave holes for NPCs. We'll have recurring characters I'm sure, but that's up to you guys. NPC holes are filled by first come, first serve. By first come, I always mean assuming the role IC unless I allow exceptions. You are all great writers, I can see that clearly, and I want to give you every opportunity to show what you've got. That is why I don't always come up with the jobs. If someone comes up with an idea for a job, run it past me. 99 times out of a 100, I say yes. And, as an added bonus, I let you set it up.