[PBEM News] DSX Excalibur (non Star Trek setting)

From: sharlene79@mindspring-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (sharlene79)

Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:22:01 +0000

DSX Excalibur is a human GM guided adventure.  It is NOT a cooperative
writing Star Trek sim.  It is set in the early days of space
exploration in a rather dark future of the Earth.  These are the
early days of space exploration.  This game is inspired by such
movies as Blade Runner, Lost in Space, and Starship Troopers � as
well as TV series like Babylon 5, Dark Angel (1st season), Sea Quest
� and yes, Star Trek.

The first Terran manned interstellar mission departed in 2058.  It was
a 12-year mission that resulted in the discovery of 27 planets, one of
which was marginally habitable.  By 2090, over 200 worlds had been
charted and still, only 3 marginally habitable worlds had been
discovered.  By the early 22nd century 24 marginally habitable worlds
have been discovered, as well as 3 habitable ones.  One of those
worlds was co-discovered at the same time as a feline race called the
M�tarans.  The result of that encounter was an uneasy truce which had
followed 8 years of war with the M�tarans.  That colony has been
co-colonized by a select few and is codenamed Bast after the Egyptian
goddess of cats.  While none of the habitable planets discovered thus
far are quite Earthlike, the three habitable ones offer a chance for
the human race to avoid extinction.

As of 2128, there are 28 colonies connected to Earth by a hypergate,
the three habitable ones, and 25 others.  Most of those worlds are
only marginally inhabitable, requiring processing of the atmosphere
to survive.  A few can only support life by dome or L5 station.  But
those are worlds rich in minerals much needed by Earth.  Travel by
warp drive without a gate is a very slow process.  Only the newest
generations of ships are able to cross the vastness of space in
anything resembling normal time � without coldsleep.  The Terran
Exploration Fleet is madly searching for inhabitable planets and
resources.  Earth is a dying planet.  Too late Mankind began to try
to save its environment.  Its ozone layer is rapidly failing.  Farms
can no longer support the teaming billions.  Only hydroponics has
managed to save them.  Mineral wealth is now heavily dependent on
recycling technologies.  And those can scarcely keep up.  Population
control has been taken over by a martial law approach.

Politically Earth has finally united, but is still heavily factioned
much as seen in the TV series, Sea Quest.  Players may come from many
different cultures.  However, English has been adopted as the lingua
franca.  The DSX Excalibur falls under the jurisdiction of Star
Fleet, formerly a mix of TDF (Terran Defense Forces), IP
(Interstellar Patrol), Interstellar Survey and Diplomatic Corps, BOSS
(Bureau of State Security), and BRINT (Bureau of Military
Intelligence), Space Marines, and Star Force.  While all of these
divisions still exist and have departments in various nations on
Earth, they are reorganized under Star Fleet � finally.

The DSX Excalibur is a deep space explorer (light cruiser class)
assigned to search for new worlds that are fit for habitation and
technology that will help save Earth.  All crewmembers are part of
the Fleet.  They must be age 18 to 30, meet Fleet physical and mental
standards (military), have completed High School (or GED), 4 years
Academy (officer types), University (Science or Engineering types),
or Military (Space Marine) training.  Even the non-combat lab rat
types will have to meet these requirements and go through a 6 month
training program for skills like zero G maneuvering, vac suit
training, and ship emergency drills.  And once they sign up, they are
Fleet Officers, with all the responsibilities that go with the job.
This does mean that everyone will be age 22 to 30.  Time spent at a
Fleet academy or military institution will be treated as Fleet
service for the purpose of determining rank.  (There will be a few
exceptions to these rules.  The DSX Excalibur sports all new
technology.  And much of that technology was paid for by civilians
�)

The senior command positions will be manned by NPC�s.  This includes
the Captain, Chief of Security.  Those positions have specific roles
best filled by NPC�s.  (Pilots/helmsmen tend to remain with their
ships, not go gallivanting across a planet.  Bear that in mind.)  The
purpose of the PC�s will be to serve in Survey Teams.  PC�s will be
expected to survey, establish First Contact, preserve artifacts, etc.
 Yes, the Fleet also fills a military role and one of police action.
But with so few ships equipped for exploration, that would be a waste
of the Excalibur.  Just the same, the Excalibur will need to return to
the outer colonies for supplies and R & R from time to time.  And
when they do, local officials will do their best to make use of a
Star Fleet vessel.  It never hurts to maintain good relations with
colonies.

As military as I make this sound, there is room for eccentricity �
within Star Fleet limits.  Getting a starship assignment is extremely
competitive.  So even if the character is eccentric, it is a good idea
to curb just how much so.  The Excalibur is commanded by a female, Lt.
Cmdr. Danielle Redeagle.  She is rumored to be a by the book
hard-nosed captain, with a history of losing crewmembers to space
disasters.  Those of you considering a career in Security, make out
your wills.
--
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