Joining the Crew: Difference between revisions

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This joining page is a Beta-version, since we just re-opened recruitment and there is a lot to be done in terms of listing available positions and submission guidelines.
[[File:TheurgyGif3.gif|350px|right|caption]]
'''Star Trek: Theurgy is <font color=orange>open for new Applicants!</font>'''
 
However, Applicants may only apply for positions from the [[Wanted Positions in Star Trek: Theurgy|Wanted Positions]] list. Recruitment is not open for any other kind of character unless a listed position is applied for. Please bear in mind, however, that:
 
* You may not get the position you apply for depending on the character concept you apply with. See below for more information about proposing your character concept.
* In-Character, as s/he transfer to the Theurgy, s/he will not know what position s/he might get on the ship. This is decided In-Character after arrival.
 
Current members of the sim may create new characters if they are eligible ([[Joining the Crew#Do you want to add another character to the story?|see the bottom of the page]]). In that case, they must pick a role in the [[Wanted Positions in Star Trek: Theurgy|Wanted Positions]] list.<br><br>
 
== Joining Information ==
 
<font color=aqua>'''"What kind of writers are we looking for at Star Trek: Theurgy?"'''</font>
 
We will be looking for good, descriptive and creative writers that can handle English fluently. You should also know enough about the Star Trek Universe to be able to partake in creating intense, interesting storylines together with the other writers. We are a very literate group, with rules that demand a minimum posting requirement of 200 words per post, and with a deadline of 10 days maximum to reply in all the threads you are involved in. Moreover, the commitment to the story is long-term. We have been running the story actively for years, and we will continue for many years to come. Therefore, we are not interested in casual, brief commitments, but something that will last.
 
In other words, if you are not a dedicated and prolific writer, who can write long posts and reply to threads within 10 days, you should not apply to join this sim for your own sake as well as the present writers. Also, you should be well versed in proper [[Forum Writing Etiquette]]. If you are too inexperienced with forum writing or not literate enough to contribute, your application might be rejected.
 
Lastly, Star Trek: Theurgy promotes socially progressive views, including all sexualities, identities, male/female/trans artistic nudity, equality of opportunity, civil rights, and multiculturalism. The community is welcoming towards the full spectrum of political or religious views, as long as controversial topics of discussion are allocated to their proper place on the forum and not the Discord server. If you have a problem with this, then you should ''not'' register.
 
<font color=aqua>'''"What's the nature of the story?"''' </font>
 
Star Trek: Theurgy is a detailed, quite dark, story-driven and long-term roleplay and while it has a 18+ rating, it is not some shoe-horned excuse to write Star Trek smut scenes. If that's what you are looking for, you should look elsewhere since you'll be really disappointed.
 
It is not expected of any of our writers to detail the intimate relations of their characters with others, even if it's allowed. Several writers among us have an aversion to writing graphic sexual scenes, so if that's not what you care for, then that's no problem at all. The story revolves around a ship and a crew in dire straits, against impossible odds, and with a lot of intrigue and mystery to it. We just don't enforce limits on what you care to write, like explicit scenes of violence or intimacy. This, as long you adhere to our [[General Rules]] and all writers consent to the specific scene their characters are in.
 
In short, this is a serious Star Trek sim, ''not'' a dating sim.
 
<font color=aqua>'''"How do I join the story?"''' </font>
 
This page should serve quite well for an answer, but it's recommended you contact the GM if you have any questions.
 
=== 1. Register on the Forum ===
First, in order to join Star Trek: Theurgy, [https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/ you need to register on the Forum]. To register, '''you must be 18 years or older'''. If we find anyone who is younger than that, it will result in an immediate ban in the interests of protecting minors. Upon registration, you verify that you are of age, and at the discretion of the GM, an age verification process will be conducted if there is cause for doubt to your claim. For more information on age restriction, read our [[General Rules]].


== "How do I join the story?" ==
When you have read the [[General Rules]] and registered, you should check the [[Star Trek: Theurgy Canon]] page and read through the [[Story Archive]]. More information about the current ongoings in the story will be sent later on in the joining process, but feel free to have a look around, and get acquainted with the place.
[[File:TheurgyGif3.gif|350px|right|caption]]
 
# First, in order to join Star Trek: Theurgy, you will have to join the House of Eros community. We a well-established Play-by-Forum simm, and it is much in thanks to House of Eros that we have survived for so long, and continue to thrive. Link: [http://houseeros.com/roleplay-role-playing-forum/ The House of Eros]. <p>The House of Eros is an adult community, and while the Star Trek: Theurgy RP is extremely story-driven, it should be mentioned that it is still rated 18+ and has sexual content. The House of Eros site as been submitted as ‘Explicity for Adults’ to various rating groups, in the interests of protecting minors from its various sexual and mature content. The site is intended for online roleplay and erotic web fiction. You must be 18 or older to be a member. If we find anyone who is younger than that, it will result in an immediate ban. </p><p>Please see site rules for further information, and create an account: [http://houseeros.com/roleplay-role-playing-forum/index.php?topic=12680.0 HoE Site Rules].
=== 2. Contact the <nowiki>Game Moderator</nowiki> ===
# When at House of Eros, you will find our part of the community here: [http://houseeros.com/roleplay-role-playing-forum/index.php?board=116.0 Our HoE Roleplaying Forum]. You will find our OOC thread, the crew manifest(s) and links to out own Wiki page. The Wiki is our own database with loads of info on the story, characters and ships. Most importantly, you should find our General Rules and read them thoroughly. </p><p>So, feel free to have a look around, and when you feel ready, you send a PM (personal message) to the Game Moderator, Auctor Lucan.
When you feel ready, send a PM (personal message) via the forum to the [[Game Moderator]], [https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3 <nowiki>Brutus</nowiki>]. Follow the joining process below and we take it from there; perhaps you just want to verify if you have the right profile to write with us?
# When contacting the CM, you can either:<br>
 
#; A) Ask Questions
Here are the steps in the Joining Process:
#: Send the GM your questions first and take it from there, and see what kind of story opportunities there might be for your own character concept, or perhaps you want to verify if you have the right profile to write with us. This might be important because we are a very literate group, with a minimum posting requirement of 200 words per post, and the commitment to the story is long-term. We have been running the story actively for 5 years, and we will continue for many years to come. So, we are not interested in casual, brief commitments, but something that will last for many years to come.
 
#; B) Inherit an Available Character (Variable Difficulty)
# Introduce yourself, describe your writing experience, and ask your questions. Given the rich detail and minimum words-per-post that we have in our [[General Rules]], any writing of yours available online in your previous sims is of great interest. This, to make sure your writing style will fit in with the rest of the community. The GM need samples that he can verify is yours too, preferably online and listed by a username, and not some text that could be stolen from somewhere, since we've had issues with that in the past.  
#: We have been running the Star Trek: Theurgy story for over five years now, and over time, we have built the story with key characters that are essential to the plot, not to mention making different kinds of relationships between characters that have become important for character development.<p>Sadly, writers have left the group now and then, leaving the writers that remain with us bereft of the development that they were looking forward to with their own characters. However, over time, we have successfully let writer-less characters be inherited by present writers, examples being [[Selena Ravenholm]], [[Wenn Cinn]], [[Edena Rez]], [[Nathaniel Isley]] and [[Cameron Henshaw]], whom are all being actively played today even if the original writers left us. So, this is your chance to step right into present events in the Star Trek: Theurgy story. </p><p>If you would like to inherit either of our available characters, the GM will be able to provide all information about what the characters have been up to so far in the story, and potential development for them. Please consider also how you, as the new writer of the character, has a creative license to change the way s/he is played. Here are our [[Category:Available Player Characters|Available Player Characters]].
# When the writing samples have been approved, the GM will forward your message to a member of the Application Team, who will work with you from there.
#; C) Open a Stasis Chamber (Variable Difficulty)
# You can then pitch a character concept for the story, <font color=orange>''without''</font> filling out an entire character sheet. This is really important and must be emphasised; ''you pitch a character concept.'' Again, <font color=orange>''without'' filling out an entire character sheet</font>. Since your character idea might be rejected, you should <font color=orange>''not''</font> waste your time writing up a character entirely. Instead, you should just describe what you have in mind in terms of a character concept. If you have more than one concept in mind, you can submit more, but you can only have one character to begin with. Things worth mentioning in the character concept are:<br> - Name and species <br> - Personality and traits<br>- Position from the [[Wanted Positions in Star Trek: Theurgy|Wanted Positions]] page you apply for<br> - In-Character ambitions, short term and long term<br> - Out-of-Character ambitions for the character, short term and long term<br> - Upbringing and education (max 200 words)<br> - Defining character flaws<br> - What faceclaim you have in mind for the character ''(You can't pick an actor/actress from any Star Trek series or movie, or these: [[Faceclaim Directory]])''<br> - Which way the character enters the story (see the Onboarding Information section further down on this page)
#: Under Construction
# If the concept is approved, the Application Team will then send you a character template to fill out, and you PM the filled out template back to the team member for a first review. The template is not made available here because the character concept should be discussed with the Application Team first, before any further time and effort is spent on creating a character.
#; D) Create & Submit New Character
# When the PM with the filled out template has been reviewed, you will be sent feedback and a link to a wiki form, where you create a draft page for the character in our wiki [[database]], using the template and implementing the feedback.  
#: Use the joining form below to make your character. This is an organic process; to create a character and to find the best way to enter the story. If you would have complete freedom of choice in a Star Trek character, what would you like to write? Perhaps there is a way to accomodate that, so it's generally a good idea to run your character concept by the GM first before you devote hours on filling out your character application. </p><p>At the current point in the story, your character would either have the backstory of serving on the:
# When you have filled out the form (remember that you need to be logged into the wiki!), and you've generated the draft wiki page, you PM the hyperlink to the Application Team Member for a final review.  
#::; USS Theurgy NX-79854 (High Difficulty)
# When approved, after some possible rounds of edits, the application will be processed through the site, and the character added to the sim.
#::: Recently in your character's career, at the end of the biography you are to write, your character has entered Starfleet and was commissioned to the USS Theurgy. This might be a bit restrictive for you in terms of positions available to serve in, and what kind of career s/he's had aboard up until you start writing him/her. If you want to join us with a character that has been serving on the ''Theurgy'', the challenge that the GM will help you with is to create a plausible back-story for him/her in relation to the events this far in the story. However, we have been writing the story for over five years and that makes it difficult for you to take in all that has happened. Our [[Story Archive]] is a synopsis of the events so far, but after reading it, you will have to end your characters biography with some important choices for him/her. These are the questions:
 
#:::*  The crew became outlaws and hunted for two months across the Alpha Quadrant by Starfleet. If you take this path with the background of your character, you need to establish what kind of impact this has had on him/her. This in regard to friends and family left behind, thinking your character is a traitor. Also, since s/he has protected the truth about Starfleet Command in battle, and thus fighting and perhaps killing ignorant and innocent Starfleet Officers, what kind of consequences has this has upon your character's mental health and loyalty to Captain Ives?
=== 3. Joining Application Accepted! ===
#:::* Whether or not your character was infected in Episode 01, and how much psychological trauma s/he suffers because of it. S/he may have been seduced into being infected, or s/he could have been raped, yet regardless of that choice, s/he may not need to remember anything beyond that point, since the cure affected newly formed memory engrams too, leaving most of the crew clueless as to what they were up to before the [[USS Relativity]] came to the rescue. S/he could have locked him/herself in too, escaping infection until the danger passed.
When the character is approved, the Application Team will notify you of this and the GM will make an announcement will be made on our [https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php/board,1.0.html OOC board] (Out-of-Character). You will also be given full access to the site. Next, you will be writing your inaugural post in the story, and begin the adventure.  
#:::* If the Ishtar Entity (power equivalent of Q:s, for sake of reference) paired your character up with some other crew member and put them in a position (naked on an island or in bed etc. with severely increased sexual desires) where they might have (and mightn't) had sex. S/he could also have been unaffected by the Isthar Entity's exploits.
 
#:::* Whether or not your character was harmed during the battle with the Calamity starship in the Episode 03 Prologue, and therefore having spent time in the tents of the Triage Centre or not on the planet surface of Theta Eridani IV while the ship was powered down for repairs. Otherwise, there were plenty repairs to be made during the week on the planet.
<big>Welcome aboard the ''Theurgy''!</big>
#:::* Whether or not s/he succumbed to injury during the struggle to leave Theta Eridani IV while under attack by the Calamity's [[AC-507 Mk I Reaver|Reavers]] and the volcanoes all around the valley they were in erupted. '''If your character was injured at this point, then s/he may start the story waking up in the Theurgy's Sickbay, unaware of events up until Episode 04.''' It not, then s/he might have been the victim of Captain Vasser's mutiny, up until he was killed and the [[U.S.S. Calamity|USS Calamity]] was destroyed. It is highlyrecommended that your character was injured when leaving Theta Eridani IV.
 
#::; USS Harbinger NX-67890 (High Difficulty)
== <nowiki>Onboarding Information</nowiki> ==
#::: This might be a bit restrictive for you in terms of positions available to serve in, and what kind of career s/he's had aboard up until you start writing him/her. Like the Theurgy, the Harbinger's crew became outlaws and hunted for two months across the Alpha Quadrant by Starfleet. If you take this path with the background of your character, you need to establish what kind of impact this has had on him/her. This in regard to friends and family left behind, thinking your character is a traitor. Also, since s/he has protected the truth about Starfleet Command in battle, and thus fighting and perhaps killing ignorant and innocent Starfleet Officers, what kind of consequences has this has upon your character's mental health and loyalty to Captain Ives?
Right now, your character could enter the story in a few different ways, and they are all listed on this page: [[Onboarding Page]].
#::; Black Opal (Medium Difficulty)
 
#:::A
On that page, you can get a lot of great information besides the options for how your character enters the story. Make sure you take your time to read through it thoroughly at your earliest convenience, since it will have direct bearing for your character when s/he comes aboard the ship.
#::; USS Resolve NX-91985 (Low Difficulty)
 
#::: With this option, your character could be serving aboard the USS Resolve, and s/he would, somehow, end up aboard the Theurgy during the battle in Episode 04: Simulcast (this will be solved with the GM's help).
== Theurgy Staff ==
#::; Starbase 84 (Low Difficulty)
 
#::: With this option, your character could be serving aboard Starbase 84, and s/he would, somehow, end up aboard the Theurgy during the battle in Episode 04: Simulcast (this will be solved with the GM's help)..
{| class="wikitable " style=" background: #252525; color: white; white-space: nowrap; "
|-
! colspan="5" style="background:#343434; color:white"| '''Staff'''
|-
| '''<font color=orange>Theurgist'''  
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Title'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Characters'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Discord'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Personal Message'''
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3 Brutus]
|Game Master
|
*[[Natalie_Stark|Natalie Stark]]
*[[Sarresh_Morali|Sarresh Morali]]
*[[Faye Lintah Eloi-Danvers]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=3 Link]
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=659 rae]
|GM Assistant
|
*[[Azrin Ryn]]
*[[Nysarisiza zh’Eziarath]]
*[[Jaru Rel]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=659 Link]
|-
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=609 Ellen Fitz]
| GM Assistant
|  
*[[Enyd Isolde Madsen]]
*[[Cross]]
*[[Hirek tr’Aimne]]
*[[Ehfva Feynri]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=609 Link]
|-
|}
 
The Application Team helps with the new character process. Staff members are also part of the application team.
 
{| class="wikitable " style=" background: #252525; color: white; white-space: nowrap; "
|-
! colspan="4" style="background:#343434; color:white"| '''Application Team'''
|-
| '''<font color=orange>Theurgist'''  
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Characters'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Discord'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Personal Message'''
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=283 RyeTanker]
|
*[[XamotZark zh’Ptrell]]
*[[Frank Arnold]]
*[[Dominic Lau]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=283 Link]
|-
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=658 Dumedion]
|
*[[Talia Al-Ibrahim]]
*[[Kino Jeen]]
*[[Arven Leux]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=658 Link]
|-
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=376 Nesota Kynnovan]
|
*[[Amanda Ashby]]
*[[Jaya Thorne]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=376 Link]
|-
|}
 
=== Mentors ===
 
Given the size of our community, we have a number of friendly writers that are not only experienced with the story and the functions of the forum, but they are also available to write an inaugural thread with your new or newly inherited character. This all depends on how many threads the Mentors are already writing, of course, but once you have become a full member it is encouraged that you reach out to these writers on Discord or via PM on the forum so that you can learn the ropes. <font color=orange>If the Mentor you contact is temporarily available, they will help you find someone else to write with instead.</font> The [[GM]] is also available to help with any questions you might have, and in that case, it is encouraged that you write him a PM on the forum instead of using Discord.
 
If you need help with a first, aka inaugural thread, it is advised that you pay careful attention to what characters the Mentors are writing (see below). If you have an idea for how to start up with your inherited character, and one of the Mentor's characters would be perfect in the scene, <font color=orange>then make sure you flesh out the idea for the scene you have in mind when you contact the Mentor</font>. You should also factor this into account before you approach a Mentor: Does the Mentor's character have a reason to interact with your character? Are they in the same Department aboard the ''Theurgy''? In either case, does this have relevance for the scene you have in mind? <font color=orange>When an inaugural thread is started, the Mentor should PM the GM with the link</font>.
 
Here are our current Mentors!
 
{| class="wikitable " style=" background: #252525; color: white; white-space: nowrap; "
|-
! colspan="4" style="background:#343434; color:white"| '''Mentor Program'''
|-
| '''<font color=orange>Theurgist'''  
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Characters'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Discord'''
| style="text-align: center;"| '''<font color=orange>Personal Message'''
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=114 Griff]
|
*[[Lillee t'Jellaieu]]
*[[Alistair Leavitt]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=114 Link]
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=362 Pierce]
|
*[[Alana Pierce|Jessica Alana Pierce]]
*[[Lauren Pierce]]
*[[Tessa May Lance, callsign "Goldeneye"|Tessa May Lance]]
*[[Ashley Kerina]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=362 Link]
|-
|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=440 P.C. Haring]
|
*[[Hathev]]
*[[Regiene "Reggie" Suder, callsign "Gemini"|Reggie Suder]]
*[[Kestra Pren]]
| style="text-align: center;"|Available
| style="text-align: center;"|[https://uss-theurgy.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=440 Link]
|}
 
All Mentors earn 5 [[Story_Prompts#Tokens|Tokens]] for writing inaugural threads with new Theurgists, but it's not mandatory that your first thread in the story is with one of the Mentors. Perhaps you already know one of the writers here, or you get to know someone on Discord that you can write with. Either way, the Mentor Program is there to help those who need help starting up.
 
== Do you want to add another character to the story? ==
[[File:Kae_01.png|right|300px]]
If you have been an active member of the sim for more than 3 months, and you would like to add another character, you should take a look at the [[Wanted Positions in Star Trek: Theurgy|Wanted Positions Page]], and then contact the [[Game Moderator]] via PM on the forum <font color=orange>(not on Discord)</font> and see if you are A) eligible to add another character, B) if your character concept fits the story and C) if s/he can be added at the current juncture in the story. If the story is in the middle of an Episode, this might be difficult depending on the circumstances.
 
The maximum allowed player characters in Star Trek: Theurgy <font color=orange>'''is 4 (four) <nowiki>characters</nowiki>'''</font> for all members except the GM, who has to tell the story on many fronts, spread across the whole ship and all its departments. Total number is not counting NPCs, which are available for all writers. There is also a Token Reward on the [[Story Prompts]] page to strive for, if you're ambitious.  Besides this Token Reward, the only exception to the maximum limit of 4 characters is if the [[Game Moderator]] grants specific permission to write a story-specific, temporary NPC in an Episode.
 
<font color=aqua>'''"How do I know if I am eligible to add another character?"''' </font>
 
Just like for new Applicants, additional characters are approved at the behest of the [[Game Moderator]], and they are approved based on writing capacity for each member and story needs. These are the criteria for all requests:
 
# 3 months must pass A) between each character addition B) after you joined the sim, and C) you have returned to the sim.
# The writer should not have a tendency to break the 10 day maximum response time rule (See [[General Rules]]). If the writer has done so more than three times in the past three months without communicating their absence in the Main OOC thread, the character request will be revoked and the writer can apply again in 30 days, during which s/he can't miss the deadline once.
# Writing capacity is judged by the number of In-Character posts (posts written from the POV of the originally pitched/accepted character) over the course of the last year of writing in the sim. (IC posts the latest 365 days - OOC posts the latest 365 days) / (365 days - Inactive days). A writer is marked as Inactive if s/he leaves the sim and returns at a later time. The resulting number (the writer's Capacity) is an indicator that tells the [[Game Moderator]] if the writer has the capacity to write another character. Se the table below:


# In due time, we will be compiling a list of character positions and entry-points for the story-line, but in the meantime, these can be discussed with me at this point. The best way to approach this is to tell me what kind of character you want to write, and we'll see if there is an opening for such a character concept.</p>
{| class="wikitable " style=" background: #252525; color: white; white-space: nowrap; "
<p align=right>''Auctor Lucan, Game Moderator''</p>
|-
! colspan="3" style="background:#343434; color:white"| '''Capacity'''
! colspan="1" style="background:#343434; color:white"| '''# Characters'''
|-
|0|| <<<<   >>>> ||0,19
|1 Character
|-
|0,20|| <<<<   >>>> ||0,29
|2 Characters
|-
|0,30|| <<<<   >>>> ||0,39
|3 Characters
|-
|0,4|| <<<<   >>>> ||~
|4 Characters
|}


== The Joining Form ==
If your Capacity rating has been high enough over the course of the last year of active writing, you reply within 10 days in all your threads, and it is 3 months since you last added a character to the story or joined the sim, you are eligible to add another character. <font color=orange>The [[Game Moderator]] can quickly tell if your Capacity rating is high enough since he has a spreadsheet that can easily crunch the numbers for you.</font>


* Character Name:
<font color=aqua>'''"I am eligible, and the character can be added to the story! What happens next?"''' </font>
* Position: (Example: Engineer, Chief of Engineering, etc.)
* Rank: (Example: Lt, Cmdr, etc.)
* Callsign: (if its a fighter pilot character)
* Character Species:
* Character Gender:
* Character Age:
* Character Birthplace:
* Height:
* Weight:
* Eye Colour:
* Hair Colour:
* Interests:
* Background Story: (250 words or more is required)
* Personality Profile: (Detailed)
* Physical Profile: (Details beyond what is visible in character pictures)


== Application Requirements ==
Just like with new characters, here are the steps:


* Good characters have virtues. Great characters have flaws. Characters in Star Trek: Theurgy are expected to be realistic, even for a futuristic science fiction world.
# You pitch a character concept for the GM initially, <font color=orange>''without''</font> filling out an entire character sheet. This is really important. You pitch a character concept for the GM initially. Again, <font color=orange>''without'' filling out an entire character sheet</font>. Since your character idea might be rejected, you should <font color=orange>''not''</font> waste your time writing up a character entirely. Instead, you should just describe what you have in mind in terms of a character concept. Things worth mentioning at this stage are:<br>- Name and species<br>- Personality and traits<br>- Position from the [[Wanted Positions in Star Trek: Theurgy|Wanted Positions]] page you apply for<br>- In-Character ambitions, short term and long term<br>- Out-of-Character ambitions for the character, short term and long term<br>- Upbringing and education<br>- Defining character flaws<br>- What faceclaim you have in mind for the character<br>- Which way the character enters the story (See the Onboarding Information section further up on this page)
* Heroic characters are welcome and appreciated, including those with special skills or abilities, but it is expected that for each special skill or ability a character might have an offsetting flaw or vice. It is expected that flaws listed on a character application be used in storytelling, and not added in to get away with being heroic.
# If the concept is approved, the [[Game Moderator]] will then send you a character template to fill out, and you PM the filled out template to the GM for a first review. The template is not made available here because the character concept should be discussed with the [[Game Moderator]] first, before any further time and effort is spent on creating a character.
* It's understood that most writers do not have a complete grasp of a character on its initial inception; characters grow all on their own in the writing of them. New characters are not expected to be as in-depth as established characters, but the expectation is that a realistic persona is presented that is open and welcoming to development. This is as much (if not more) for the enjoyment of the writer than anything else!
# When the PM with the filled out template has been reviewed, you will be sent feedback and a link to a wiki form, where you create a draft page for the character in our wiki [[database]], using the template and implementing the feedback.  
* However, those characters that stretch the boundaries of realism into ‘god-moding’ will be promptly addressed by the Group Moderator; remember, the GM is playing too. The GM is more than happy to work with players on their character concepts, but the reverse is expected as well in that the player will work with the GM to maintain a level of believability that is inherent in fun, quality writing.
# When you have filled out the form (remember that you need to be logged into the wiki!), and you've generated the draft page, you PM the hyperlink to the [[Game Moderator]] for a final review.  
* The Star Trek universe is a big place full of adventures and stories to be told. As characters progress and writers get accustomed to the pace of activity, more characters can be approved at the discretion of the GM.
# When is approved, after some rounds of edits, the application will be processed, and the character added to the sim.  
* Rank is determined for each character on joining, and will be worked out with each player to best fit the character. That being said, understandably a Starship cannot function with a great number of Commanders and Captains overseeing each part of the ship. A storyline benefits from a mix of junior and senior officers to propel the story.
# The [[Game Moderator]] announces the character in the Main OOC thread on the forum.
* Make sure to read the section General Rules above before sending your application to the GM. When submitting your character, use the character sheet above. The GM approves the applications before the applicant is allowed to post in the Crew Manifest thread or in the RP.
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<big>Congratulations on your new character!</big>

Latest revision as of 07:28, 30 September 2024

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Star Trek: Theurgy is open for new Applicants!

However, Applicants may only apply for positions from the Wanted Positions list. Recruitment is not open for any other kind of character unless a listed position is applied for. Please bear in mind, however, that:

  • You may not get the position you apply for depending on the character concept you apply with. See below for more information about proposing your character concept.
  • In-Character, as s/he transfer to the Theurgy, s/he will not know what position s/he might get on the ship. This is decided In-Character after arrival.

Current members of the sim may create new characters if they are eligible (see the bottom of the page). In that case, they must pick a role in the Wanted Positions list.

Joining Information

"What kind of writers are we looking for at Star Trek: Theurgy?"

We will be looking for good, descriptive and creative writers that can handle English fluently. You should also know enough about the Star Trek Universe to be able to partake in creating intense, interesting storylines together with the other writers. We are a very literate group, with rules that demand a minimum posting requirement of 200 words per post, and with a deadline of 10 days maximum to reply in all the threads you are involved in. Moreover, the commitment to the story is long-term. We have been running the story actively for years, and we will continue for many years to come. Therefore, we are not interested in casual, brief commitments, but something that will last.

In other words, if you are not a dedicated and prolific writer, who can write long posts and reply to threads within 10 days, you should not apply to join this sim for your own sake as well as the present writers. Also, you should be well versed in proper Forum Writing Etiquette. If you are too inexperienced with forum writing or not literate enough to contribute, your application might be rejected.

Lastly, Star Trek: Theurgy promotes socially progressive views, including all sexualities, identities, male/female/trans artistic nudity, equality of opportunity, civil rights, and multiculturalism. The community is welcoming towards the full spectrum of political or religious views, as long as controversial topics of discussion are allocated to their proper place on the forum and not the Discord server. If you have a problem with this, then you should not register.

"What's the nature of the story?"

Star Trek: Theurgy is a detailed, quite dark, story-driven and long-term roleplay and while it has a 18+ rating, it is not some shoe-horned excuse to write Star Trek smut scenes. If that's what you are looking for, you should look elsewhere since you'll be really disappointed.

It is not expected of any of our writers to detail the intimate relations of their characters with others, even if it's allowed. Several writers among us have an aversion to writing graphic sexual scenes, so if that's not what you care for, then that's no problem at all. The story revolves around a ship and a crew in dire straits, against impossible odds, and with a lot of intrigue and mystery to it. We just don't enforce limits on what you care to write, like explicit scenes of violence or intimacy. This, as long you adhere to our General Rules and all writers consent to the specific scene their characters are in.

In short, this is a serious Star Trek sim, not a dating sim.

"How do I join the story?"

This page should serve quite well for an answer, but it's recommended you contact the GM if you have any questions.

1. Register on the Forum

First, in order to join Star Trek: Theurgy, you need to register on the Forum. To register, you must be 18 years or older. If we find anyone who is younger than that, it will result in an immediate ban in the interests of protecting minors. Upon registration, you verify that you are of age, and at the discretion of the GM, an age verification process will be conducted if there is cause for doubt to your claim. For more information on age restriction, read our General Rules.

When you have read the General Rules and registered, you should check the Star Trek: Theurgy Canon page and read through the Story Archive. More information about the current ongoings in the story will be sent later on in the joining process, but feel free to have a look around, and get acquainted with the place.

2. Contact the Game Moderator

When you feel ready, send a PM (personal message) via the forum to the Game Moderator, Brutus. Follow the joining process below and we take it from there; perhaps you just want to verify if you have the right profile to write with us?

Here are the steps in the Joining Process:

  1. Introduce yourself, describe your writing experience, and ask your questions. Given the rich detail and minimum words-per-post that we have in our General Rules, any writing of yours available online in your previous sims is of great interest. This, to make sure your writing style will fit in with the rest of the community. The GM need samples that he can verify is yours too, preferably online and listed by a username, and not some text that could be stolen from somewhere, since we've had issues with that in the past.
  2. When the writing samples have been approved, the GM will forward your message to a member of the Application Team, who will work with you from there.
  3. You can then pitch a character concept for the story, without filling out an entire character sheet. This is really important and must be emphasised; you pitch a character concept. Again, without filling out an entire character sheet. Since your character idea might be rejected, you should not waste your time writing up a character entirely. Instead, you should just describe what you have in mind in terms of a character concept. If you have more than one concept in mind, you can submit more, but you can only have one character to begin with. Things worth mentioning in the character concept are:
    - Name and species
    - Personality and traits
    - Position from the Wanted Positions page you apply for
    - In-Character ambitions, short term and long term
    - Out-of-Character ambitions for the character, short term and long term
    - Upbringing and education (max 200 words)
    - Defining character flaws
    - What faceclaim you have in mind for the character (You can't pick an actor/actress from any Star Trek series or movie, or these: Faceclaim Directory)
    - Which way the character enters the story (see the Onboarding Information section further down on this page)
  4. If the concept is approved, the Application Team will then send you a character template to fill out, and you PM the filled out template back to the team member for a first review. The template is not made available here because the character concept should be discussed with the Application Team first, before any further time and effort is spent on creating a character.
  5. When the PM with the filled out template has been reviewed, you will be sent feedback and a link to a wiki form, where you create a draft page for the character in our wiki database, using the template and implementing the feedback.
  6. When you have filled out the form (remember that you need to be logged into the wiki!), and you've generated the draft wiki page, you PM the hyperlink to the Application Team Member for a final review.
  7. When approved, after some possible rounds of edits, the application will be processed through the site, and the character added to the sim.

3. Joining Application Accepted!

When the character is approved, the Application Team will notify you of this and the GM will make an announcement will be made on our OOC board (Out-of-Character). You will also be given full access to the site. Next, you will be writing your inaugural post in the story, and begin the adventure.

Welcome aboard the Theurgy!

Onboarding Information

Right now, your character could enter the story in a few different ways, and they are all listed on this page: Onboarding Page.

On that page, you can get a lot of great information besides the options for how your character enters the story. Make sure you take your time to read through it thoroughly at your earliest convenience, since it will have direct bearing for your character when s/he comes aboard the ship.

Theurgy Staff

Staff
Theurgist   Title Characters Discord Personal Message
Brutus Game Master Available Link
rae GM Assistant Available Link
Ellen Fitz GM Assistant Available Link

The Application Team helps with the new character process. Staff members are also part of the application team.

Application Team
Theurgist   Characters Discord Personal Message
RyeTanker Available Link
Dumedion Available Link
Nesota Kynnovan Available Link

Mentors

Given the size of our community, we have a number of friendly writers that are not only experienced with the story and the functions of the forum, but they are also available to write an inaugural thread with your new or newly inherited character. This all depends on how many threads the Mentors are already writing, of course, but once you have become a full member it is encouraged that you reach out to these writers on Discord or via PM on the forum so that you can learn the ropes. If the Mentor you contact is temporarily available, they will help you find someone else to write with instead. The GM is also available to help with any questions you might have, and in that case, it is encouraged that you write him a PM on the forum instead of using Discord.

If you need help with a first, aka inaugural thread, it is advised that you pay careful attention to what characters the Mentors are writing (see below). If you have an idea for how to start up with your inherited character, and one of the Mentor's characters would be perfect in the scene, then make sure you flesh out the idea for the scene you have in mind when you contact the Mentor. You should also factor this into account before you approach a Mentor: Does the Mentor's character have a reason to interact with your character? Are they in the same Department aboard the Theurgy? In either case, does this have relevance for the scene you have in mind? When an inaugural thread is started, the Mentor should PM the GM with the link.

Here are our current Mentors!

Mentor Program
Theurgist   Characters Discord Personal Message
Griff Available Link
Pierce Available Link
P.C. Haring Available Link

All Mentors earn 5 Tokens for writing inaugural threads with new Theurgists, but it's not mandatory that your first thread in the story is with one of the Mentors. Perhaps you already know one of the writers here, or you get to know someone on Discord that you can write with. Either way, the Mentor Program is there to help those who need help starting up.

Do you want to add another character to the story?

Kae 01.png

If you have been an active member of the sim for more than 3 months, and you would like to add another character, you should take a look at the Wanted Positions Page, and then contact the Game Moderator via PM on the forum (not on Discord) and see if you are A) eligible to add another character, B) if your character concept fits the story and C) if s/he can be added at the current juncture in the story. If the story is in the middle of an Episode, this might be difficult depending on the circumstances.

The maximum allowed player characters in Star Trek: Theurgy is 4 (four) characters for all members except the GM, who has to tell the story on many fronts, spread across the whole ship and all its departments. Total number is not counting NPCs, which are available for all writers. There is also a Token Reward on the Story Prompts page to strive for, if you're ambitious. Besides this Token Reward, the only exception to the maximum limit of 4 characters is if the Game Moderator grants specific permission to write a story-specific, temporary NPC in an Episode.

"How do I know if I am eligible to add another character?"

Just like for new Applicants, additional characters are approved at the behest of the Game Moderator, and they are approved based on writing capacity for each member and story needs. These are the criteria for all requests:

  1. 3 months must pass A) between each character addition B) after you joined the sim, and C) you have returned to the sim.
  2. The writer should not have a tendency to break the 10 day maximum response time rule (See General Rules). If the writer has done so more than three times in the past three months without communicating their absence in the Main OOC thread, the character request will be revoked and the writer can apply again in 30 days, during which s/he can't miss the deadline once.
  3. Writing capacity is judged by the number of In-Character posts (posts written from the POV of the originally pitched/accepted character) over the course of the last year of writing in the sim. (IC posts the latest 365 days - OOC posts the latest 365 days) / (365 days - Inactive days). A writer is marked as Inactive if s/he leaves the sim and returns at a later time. The resulting number (the writer's Capacity) is an indicator that tells the Game Moderator if the writer has the capacity to write another character. Se the table below:
Capacity # Characters
0 <<<<   >>>> 0,19 1 Character
0,20 <<<<   >>>> 0,29 2 Characters
0,30 <<<<   >>>> 0,39 3 Characters
0,4 <<<<   >>>> ~ 4 Characters

If your Capacity rating has been high enough over the course of the last year of active writing, you reply within 10 days in all your threads, and it is 3 months since you last added a character to the story or joined the sim, you are eligible to add another character. The Game Moderator can quickly tell if your Capacity rating is high enough since he has a spreadsheet that can easily crunch the numbers for you.

"I am eligible, and the character can be added to the story! What happens next?"

Just like with new characters, here are the steps:

  1. You pitch a character concept for the GM initially, without filling out an entire character sheet. This is really important. You pitch a character concept for the GM initially. Again, without filling out an entire character sheet. Since your character idea might be rejected, you should not waste your time writing up a character entirely. Instead, you should just describe what you have in mind in terms of a character concept. Things worth mentioning at this stage are:
    - Name and species
    - Personality and traits
    - Position from the Wanted Positions page you apply for
    - In-Character ambitions, short term and long term
    - Out-of-Character ambitions for the character, short term and long term
    - Upbringing and education
    - Defining character flaws
    - What faceclaim you have in mind for the character
    - Which way the character enters the story (See the Onboarding Information section further up on this page)
  2. If the concept is approved, the Game Moderator will then send you a character template to fill out, and you PM the filled out template to the GM for a first review. The template is not made available here because the character concept should be discussed with the Game Moderator first, before any further time and effort is spent on creating a character.
  3. When the PM with the filled out template has been reviewed, you will be sent feedback and a link to a wiki form, where you create a draft page for the character in our wiki database, using the template and implementing the feedback.
  4. When you have filled out the form (remember that you need to be logged into the wiki!), and you've generated the draft page, you PM the hyperlink to the Game Moderator for a final review.
  5. When is approved, after some rounds of edits, the application will be processed, and the character added to the sim.
  6. The Game Moderator announces the character in the Main OOC thread on the forum.


Congratulations on your new character!