SECTION 2 - Posting
2.0-
Word CountWe do not have a minimum word count. We require you to make posts that effectively convey the concepts, actions, and dialogue of your character in an engaging way.
2.1 -
Content & BehaviorPosting with other characters and watching your own character grow and expand is an exciting process, however, there are rules governing what you can and can't post in the fleet and how you can act toward others. This rule on content & behavior applies both on the site and off the site. You
MUST NOT post, PM or IM anything or act in a way that:
- is obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit.
- depicts graphic or gratuitous violence.
- makes threats of any kind or that intimidates, harasses, or bullies anyone.
- is derogatory, demeaning, malicious, defamatory, abusive, offensive or hateful.
- goes outside the realms of possibility for your established character and/or others.
At Shadow Fleet we use Star Trek canon. That is, we only use equipment, species and technology that has been established in Star Trek episodes, movies, and cartoons (though we are set in the "Prime Universe").
In addition, Memory Alpha can be used as a primary source for information and Memory Beta as a back up to fill in details not included but referenced in Memory Alpha.
Our
Shadow Fleet Timeline of Events is historical canon as far as Shadow Fleet is concerned and any conflicting sources would be considered wrong for roleplaying purposes.
If something non canon does require creation, this creation will be subject to approval by the Admiralty and will require a discussion before implementation!
While character relationships are not forbidden,
Shadow Fleet is a 13+ rated board, so if your characters do partake in
extra-curricular activities during a date, keep the description to a minimum.
Shadow Fleet considers violation of these rules as serious offence. This is not an exhaustive list. So please treat others as you would want to be treated regardless of where you are when you are conducting SF business. Anyone found to be continually breaking these will be subject to
disciplinary proceedings.
2.2 -
FormatThis is the preferred posting format within
Shadow Fleet. Slight deviations from this format are permitted but try to follow it as closely as possible to maintain consistency across the RPG.
[Location Tag]
Set the scene for the rest of the players. Describe what the character is doing, take time to explain the setting using lots of adjectives.
"This is your reply speech. Remember the speech marks" said [insert name]
Please remember to follow this format as it makes everything consistent and enables easier reading. Also, remember to watch your spelling and grammar; if you need help, use a spell checker.
Here is an example post:
[Tinzu planet surface]
Kirok offered the woman a nod. They had worked together on the Discovery for a short while. He remember her well.
Then his thought turned back to the mission at hand. The Federation had not had a great history with arachnoid species. He wondered if their situation with this species would improve.
Please see: Posting Format2.3 -
Spelling & GrammarShadow Fleet is a text-based role-playing game, and as such, a certain level of spelling & grammar is required so all members can enjoy the RPG experience. The following rules govern spelling & grammar:
- The official language on the boards is English. If you can't write in English, sorry!
- All proper English spellings are acceptable as long as the post is legible. For example, "color" (American English) and "colour" (British English) would both be acceptable.
- Posts should be checked using the spell checker, before you submit them to the boards, and preferably proof read after you have submitted them.
Anyone seen to be having trouble with their spelling & grammar will be notified by an admin or forum moderator and help will be offered to bring them up to standard.
2.4 -
Use of NPCsNPCs, or "Non-playing Characters", are recurring characters that are not played by any user on the forums. They will generally be defined on the ship's roster. The rules regarding the use of NPCs are as follows:
- They must only be used to add to the background of a story or story event.
- Only NPCs that have been defined in the ship's roster may be used. Do not make up NPCs without the approval of a command officer.
- They must not be used against another user without their consent.
- Injuries or deaths amongst NPCs are allowed, but should be kept to a minimum and should only occur when the story warrants it.
2.5a -
Posting for OthersPosting for others is defined as using another user's character in a post, without their consent. This is expressly prohibited within Shadow Fleet and anyone found to be breaking this could face a temporary suspension from the fleet.
If you would like to include another user's character within one of your posts, contact the owner of the character FIRST, via private message. After you receive written permission from the other player, you will be authorized to include that user's character in your post. You should also keep a copy of the PM giving you permission to use the character, should any misunderstandings occur.
2.4a -
Guest Starring on Another SIMMIf a CO requests a player to guest star, they should PM the player and their CO(s) and the affected TG CO(s) so that everyone is in the loop. If a player wants to guest star, they should PM the CO where they want to guest star, CC their CO(s), as well as the affected TG CO(s).
Player should receive approval from all involved COs prior to guest starring.
Player is expected to prioritize missions for their main/alt(s) over the guest starring role
2.5 -
God ModdingGod Modding is defined as giving your character the ability to do actions without limits or boundaries. Such actions can include and not limited to: knowledge that characters cannot possibly know, auto-hitting other PC's, supernatural abilities with no explanation, directly controlling or controlling the consequences of your actions to another PC.
In posting you should describe your own character's actions and their intent- not the result of the action if this involves another character or is of importance to the plot. For example: You can say that you are attempting to disarm the bomb and the way you are trying, not that you successfully disarmed the bomb. Or, when involving another character, you can say you are attempting to punch them in the jaw, hoping to knock them out, but the result of the action should be described in the responding character's post.
Example "Poor" Post: "James T. Kirk interlaces his fists and brings down a double-fisted hammer blow on the Gorn! The lizard beast slumps to the dirt and rolls down the hill."
Example "Good" Post: "James T. Kirk interlaces his fists and brings down a double-fisted hammer blow, hoping to knock the lizard-beast out with one blow!"
2.6 -
Posting ActivityWhile we do not impose a minimum posting requirement we do expect all members to be active, engaged and online regularly. We realize that post count may vary based on both real lives and in mission constraints. With that in mind, we set forth a recommended guideline of 1 post per day on average with a preference for missions over non-mission posts.
Additionally, we ask that preference is given to mission-related posting over holodeck and general conversation or command board areas.
2.7 -
Leave of Absence & ReservesIf you are going to absent from your SIMM for a prolonged period of time (3 days or more - anything less, then simply inform your CO), then you need to fill out an LoA or Reserves request so we don't suspend your account for inactivity.
For our purposes, an LoA request should be filed if your absence will be 3 days to one month. A Reserves request should be filed if your absence will be more than one month.
The start date of your LOA or Reserve request should be the date of your last period of activity. If you do not start posting after an LOA has expired and your total time absent from a mission is more than one month, your account will be automatically reserved. If you need to take multiple LOAs during a one month period, please simply reserve your character and reactivate the character when you are ready to return.
Note - In emergency situations in which you are unable to post an LoA or Reserves request on the board, you may have someone else do it for you.
2.8 -
Inactive Player CharacterAn inactive player character (IPC) is defined as someone who has stopped posting on the site. For our purposes, we will consider someone to be an IPC after 7-14 days of inactivity and failure to resume activity after prompts from their Department Heads and/or CLOs. The start date of marking someone IPC is dependent on the characters history and CLOs discretion.
2.9 -
Suspension due to InactivityAn IPC will be suspended due to inactivity if s/he fails to resume activity on the site within a given time frame. For our purposes, we will suspended an IPC's account after 14-30 days of continued inactivity and failure to resume activity after prompts from their Department Heads and/or CLOs. The start date of suspending an IPC's account is dependent on the characters history and CLOs discretion.
(OOC Post restored due to server outage - Tess t'Lhoell 07/22/2020)